Had a fantastic few days in Torres del Paine. Wouldn't have minded staying there longer but not to be and the good news was it wasn't as cold as it apparently had been the past week, so camping was relatively painless. It helped that Nikki and I snagged one of the shelters and could put our tent under that.

We arrived at the campsite about 6.30pm the first night to some beautiful views with the wind blowing. It was Burns night (something to do with the poet) so the Scottish of the group were ready to celebrate.

Monday morning, the majority of us went off to do a walk known as the Torres walk. Majority of people come here to do the big circuit (7-9 days) or the 'W' (4 days). The Torres walk is like the last stroke in the W. It took me about 7hrs to complete the return hike. Beginning was all uphill out of the valley, and then down and flat to the last section which was basically a scramble up some boulders, across little creeks and over more boulders. It was tough but worth the views when I made it to the Torres (this means towers) which is the famous face of the National Park. Of course, what goes up must go down and it was the same walk back. Glad to reach the end, take off my shoes and have a cold drink.

Back to the campsite and some of the people who didn't come had started celebrating Australia Day and Chinese New Year and were to put it nicely - hammered. And they were meant to be in charge of the cooking. It turned out Ok though after others got involved.

Tuesday, along with 5 others I got the ferry across the lake and I did the Francis walk (which is the middle part of the W). Was safe to do alone as people all about and I could go at my own pace. One other did this walk, but the other 3 did the Grey Glacier walk (obviously the first part of the W). My walk was just beautiful. First 2 hrs relatively easy, with beautiful views before the last hour which was another scramble over boulders, across waterfalls, tree trunks, across creeks. I didn't do the whole walk, my legs had just about had it, but I got up to this lookout in front of the Francis Glacier and sat there and ate lunch. Fantastic views. Time to turn around and once again, very glad to reach the end. Another sit down with a cold drink, some chocolate and wait for the return ferry. Really glad I did it. Hot shower was much appreciated.

Wednesday I was booked to go horse riding. We were picked up and taken to the stables. Alot of the rivers are flooded due to recent heavy rains and the stables were on the other side of a flooded creek. One van took a group across with no problems and then came back to get us (it had 4WD). Unfortunately he put to many of us in and then tried to reverse across the creek. It sounds like a bad idea - it was a bad idea. We didn't quite make it. So there we were, stuck in the mud and there was no way we were stepping out in it. Eventually Ross jumped out and made it and then helped the rest of us out. They got someone to come and tow the van out which took quite a few attempts. This time only half of us got in the car to go across at one time. Success.

The horse riding was fantastic. Horses were beautiful, we had 4 dogs and 2 foals following us. We were allowed to go at our own pace and didn't have to stay in a straight line the whole time which can be a downfall when going in a group. Views were beautiful, crossed some flooded grounds, lots of mud and then headed up to a fantastic view of the valley, distant glacier and surrounding mountains. Also had a condor flying above us. Worth it.

That was our last day in the park. Next day we packed up and drove to a camping spot, set up the tents, had dinner, slept, woke up this morning, packed up, drove and arrived here. Will be the same routine tonight and tomorrow. There is just a lot of nothing here. We are on the Atlantic coast and looking forward to reaching the Valdez Peninsular.