The transport to Tierra Patagonia arrived early - so after settling our bill we were off - but only to the airport to collect someone also going to Tierra Patagonia. We waited probably 45-60 minutes , & watched 4 Chilean fighter jets take off, until Jamie arrived - she was a marketing manager for the hotel so en route we learnt a lot more about the region and the hotel than we would have done if alone with our Spanish speaking driver for the four and a half hour journey.
We spotted lesser rheas, several geese and a fox before stopping half way for a coffee and comfort break. It was a rustic hotel with an enormous wood burner in the corner which really warmed us.
The initial part of the journey was flat and rugged - supporting sheep and what was noticeable was the wind - unrelenting and very strong. Not long after the coffee stop we came across an accident - the emergency services were attending and had a man on a stretcher. The car was on the other side of the fence so we guessed he had been blown off the road and bounced over the fence, as the fence seemingly had suffered no damage and the car had a dented roof!
As we neared Puerto Natales the landscape started to get hillier and resembled parts of Scotland. As we passed the large lake there we saw very different and attractive black necked swans.
We arrived at the hotel just after 1330 and were offered more lunch but having consumed a nice pack up we declined.
We did however partake of some tea after we had unpacked, admired the magnificent views of Lake Sarmiento the Torres del Paine national park mountains which were part of the amazing vista from our window and I had visited the spa to book a massage for 1630.
Enroute back to the lounge area we met Pia, our photographic guide, closely followed by Jorge our wildlife and environmental guide. We agreed to meet at 1830, pre-dinner for an introduction to the next four days - our hor's deurve was both an environmental taster and a photographic one - enabling us to see some of Pia's amazing photos and give us something to aspire to.
After dinner - not Awasi standard - but then there are a lot more guests - we returned to our room to prepare for tomorrow and a 4 am get up as we are out early to photograph the sunrise. Luckily with a 2210 sunset there are blackout blinds in the room.
(Photo is 0445 day 1 learning to shoot the sunrise in Patagonia)