March 21, 2014 - Friday. Torres Del Paines, Chile

MARCH 21, 2014 - Friday   TORRES DEL PAINES

BOTTOM LINE:
Drove to Puerto Natales and back to Torres Del Paines

BACK STORY:
We set our alarms for an early check out.  After another marginal breakfast we loaded the car and were gone by 7:45am.  As we left the property of the hotel we noticed that the skies had opened up to a glorious sunrise.  The sky to the east almost looked ablaze giving the mountain peaks (which we hadn't seen yet) in the west a soft pink and blue glow.  Although we needed to get on the road, I had to take pictures and lots of them.  The sky changed quickly.

Sunrise

First view of glacier across lake from hotel

glorious colors

Sky looked on fire

looking back, these were the mountains we were near but never saw because of the stormy skies

Bruce and I were headed out of the park towards the town of Natales, Chile which is close to the archipelagos near the Pacific Ocean. We needed to top off our gas tank before heading back into the park for the next two nights stay.

Having enough gas is a fairly serious thing.  There is no gas available within the park boundaries so planning is critical...there is no AAA!

Not only was gas an issue, but we had been warned that there is road work being done daily and with the use of dynamite the roads are closed back into the park after 10am.  The drive to Natales, we were told takes about one and a half hours one way.  We had determined that we would have to re-enter the park on another road.  By leaving the park at 7:30am we would have plenty of time to exit before the closure.

We now know NOT to trust a local or a travel agent with the estimated length of time to drive to a given destination.  The estimate of time is based on the local travelers who drive very FAST.  We drove the speed limit and arrived in two and one half hours!  We were thankful that we had planned another route to re-enter the park and get to our next destination.  Clearly we would not have made it.

On the way to Natales we randomly came upon a large cave and hiking trails.  A true story was told that the remains of the largest sloth in history was found in the cave.

huge cave

rock formation

The town of Natales was much larger than we expected having most everything that one would need. I was on the hunt for a hat pin and to get gas...plain and simple.  I found the pin at the first shop that I entered.  Down on the corner there were two crusty men selling fresh fish out of a wooden cart...no ice.  They actually looked fresh and people were buying.

entering the port of Natales (Puerto Natales)

colorful fishing boat

boat being transported

man selling fresh fish

street dogs

We filled our tank at one of two gas stations and were on our way back to the park.  Our reservations for the next two nights were at the Hotel Torres Paines on the opposite side of the mountains from Hotel Lago Grey.

As we approached the hotel I could see that it was more of a lodge out on a green pasture.  Horses walked around freely and back packers cris-crossed over the property headed to an adjoining eco camp of yurts.

arrival

lodge entry

The hotel lobby was beautifully made with heavy timbers to support the massive ceilings.  Again the use of large glass windows to bring in the surrounding nature was breath taking.

lounging areas

reception ceiling with mountain view

bar and dining area

At the reception desk we were given a "matrimonial room" for two nights.  I've never heard that term before!??  Our room faced the towering mountain with the tall spires.  To the base of the mountain are the organic gardens of the hotel.  All fruits and vegetables both outside and in their numerous green houses are used in the restaurant.

This hotel has options.  A buffet dinner is served nightly for $48 per person (US) or you can choose a lighter meal in the bar area.  After a pisco sour we went back to our room to clean up and return for a light dinner.

Every night there is live mellow music, so I sat and did computer work listening in the back ground. Bruce ventured off to speak with an activities coordinator.  He found that this lodge caters to people that are here to hike or horse back ride...both of which were dependent on weather.  So with a "wait and see" attitude, we retired for the day.

horse back riding