3 -5 February Torres Del Paine

Camping again, but this was far removed from the inca trail, warm showers, clean toilets, bigger tents, camp fires, a chef who knew the basics of food hygiene, luxury. We ate, drank, walked, rode and had a wonderful time.
Torres del Paine is the jewel in the crown of chile, it has wonderful sights, great walks and the legendary towers. And wind, strong winds!

We were starting to get a bit blasé about the sights, a lake here, a mountain there but the Torres del Paine national park changed that. The first day in the park, before we arrived at the camp, we were dropped off on the towers walk. It was cloudy, windy and cool, so wearing our layers we started the trek to see the imposing towers. It was a great walk, steep uphill climbs/walks at the beginning and end, interspersed with a fairly flat forest section. 18 of us set off, the youngsters (42 and under) and the oldsters. Lisa determined not to be outdone by the oldsters 'raced' ahead. During the walk, and as we got higher, the wind calmed down, the sun came out and it warmed up. Lisa, still ahead of the oldsters, stopped every few metres to dispense with another layer, which is in no way annoying. We rose higher and higher, and slowly the towers came into view. But we still had to scramble up a scree slope. Here I felt a random fifty year old couple gaining on us fast, so determined not be beaten by them I told Lisa not to let them get past us. Maybe I phrased it incorrectly but ten minutes later and with the German couple frustrated at being held up I asked Lisa why she had not let them go past. Apparently she had misinterpreted me and while I had meant beat them by climbing quicker she thought I had not wanted to let them get past. As the German couple raced up the hill and in to the distance I was again amazed at how my wife's mind works.

At the top we were treated to the amazing towers, behind a beautiful blue lake, with the sun shinning. It was worth every minute of the climb. Made of granite they rise high into the sky and an hour spent eating our dinner in front of them was not enough. What had taken us 3.5 hours to climb took only 2.5 hours to descend. The climb down was uneventful and soon we were in the five star hotel where the majority of the oldsters had returned, without getting to the top, for g+ts and beer.

That evening we were teated to a delicious meal of spag bol, by a campfire, with lots of beers. A wonderful end to a spectacular day.

On the second day we went horse riding for the first time in our lives. Martyn's horse suited him well, up front and leading the way. My horse was the complete opposite, lazy, at the back and knackered on the hills. The day before I had been cursing myself for being so heavy as the walk would surely have been easier with less weight to carry. Now I was feeling even more sorry for my poor horse.

Then a small walk, home for green Thai curry, copious amounts of mulled wine, and bed. Another legendary day.

We had been warned about the weather, how one minute it can be sunny and then raining or snowing. We knew about the winds up to 120km per hour. And in general we were amazingly lucky with the weather, really only experiencing rain all of the first night and a bit of cloud on day 2 which meant we were able to see some of the most amazing scenery in the world at it's absolute best! But on the third day it was windy, extremely windy! At one point it was so windy that we were literally blown up the hill we were hiking on. It was an alright hike nothing like we had done so far, so walking with Graham and Lara we took it easy making sure we were back at the bar for a drink before the most expensive boat ride in the world!!! We were on this boat, there and back, for no more than one hour. For the privilege we had to pay £25 each. If we had been on a week long cruise it would have been £4200ish. Being the calm and relaxed person I am I barely even mentioned it in passing, to anyone.

Back for our last night of camping and Mark the chef had outdone himself again with a Spanish stew, chorizo and chocolate banana desert (not for Martyn). That was helped down with beer, wine and bourbon,and some interesting conversations regarding Internet dating. The night descended into a zip in, like a lock in but in a tent. Me, Mike, Graham, Barry, Mark and Andy made sure the food and alcohol was finished. Can't tell you exactly what was discussed but it didn't include trekking. And Barry, for his age, should be thoroughly ashamed.

Next day a quick hangover curing hike up a hill and then off to punto arenas. Punto arenas is a s*** hole so won't bother mentioning it too much.
Highlights:
Watching Superbowl.
The windows in a toilet up a tower.
Takeaway pizza.
Getting a free beer
Lowlights:
The penguins
A chair breaking on me, but I did get a free beer.

Then back into Argentina, for a 13 hour bus ride.