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After a night of flying I arrived 24 hours later (intact and with all my belongings!) in the Lake District of Chile, in Puerto Varas, a small town known for its beauty. This was the small hotel that greeted me - it was more like a hostel but I had a cute room and bathroom to myself.
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Saturday morning I signed up for a day of kayaking down a beautiful valley. Here I am, in kayak gear!
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The view in the valley... |
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At the end of kayaking, I went to a Mountain Lodge. It was gorgeous! This is the main lodge, which includes the house (on the right) of where the couple who owns/runs it is; on the left are the three little rooms. I didn't stay there. I got an entire house to myself in a beautiful meadow of horses.
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Here's my little house with the view!
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Sunday I went horseback riding on a beautiful trail. My horse had no name (so we called him "the horse with no name"). He was quite temperamental and he head-butted and kicked a few
other horses. I just hung on!
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Monday morning I flew from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas, the closest airport to Torres del Paines. I met up that day with the Bike Hike Adventure Group (Cascada) and the other members of the tour. The view is from the airplane - flying over Patagonia.
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We saw Flamingoes on the drive from Punta Arenas to the park.
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At the Park Entrance.
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Our home for the next week - the Cascada Eco-Camp.
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The dining tent, getting ready for our lunch-making.
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Tuesday's Hike - trekking the "W".
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The group of travelers.
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Hiking the "W" on Wednesday.
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Hiking the "W" on Wednesday to Grey Glacier
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On the boat to Grey Glacier.
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Grey Glacier.
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The big day - hiking to the base of the towers - the Towers of Torres del Paines.
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Hiking through the forest to the moraine.
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Climbing the moraine to the Base of the Towers - the last part of the "W".
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We're here! It's hard to imagine what they look like but they shoot up several thousand feet - we can just see the bottom of the Towers in this picture.
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Yes, you can be jealous. Look closely for the well-placed horse and cowboy!
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Another beautiful, classic scene.
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The last night and the Cascada staff is cooking a real Chilean bbq.
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The group celebrating with wine and pisco sour, the popular Chilean cocktail.
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Sunset at the camp and contemplating my return to civilization.
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