Travelled all morning on the truck towards Torres del Paine National Park – over flat green pampas closer and closer to snow-capped mountains in the park.
Stopped to see a cave where the remains of a giant sloth were found. Didn’t sound very impressive – but what an amazing experience. The short walk to the cave had us wondering why we got out of the warm truck. Would it be worth it? So windy and cold – good decision to wear all coat/jackets, but face was frozen.
When we spotted the cave we were gob-smacked!!! It was HUGE – and sheltered from the wind. WOW – difficult to fit in photos or describe.
On to the campsite for a quick lunch before our horse riding adventure with the gauchos. Seemed like a good idea at the time – 2 hours riding around Patagonian countryside. But once on this enormous steed, I was seriously questioning my reasoning. Hadn’t even been on a horse for more than 30 years. So many other things to do, did I want to risk an injury? Not leaving anything out of this adventure .... so why not!
I felt like I was riding a camel – so high. Not sure why I was given the biggest, tallest animal. Horses stood calmly beside stumps so we could clamber up. All good so far.
We headed off, after the first group who had opted for 3 hr ride. Freezing wind, and light rain started to fall – I was convinced that 2hours of this was going to go so slowly. Torture!
We walked along the river bank – water was such a clear blue – straight from the glacier. We threaded our way through strange grey, hairy moss-covered trees, through a very boggy cultivation – probably wasn’t cultivation at all, but was so chopped up, up and down slopes – through amazing countryside of this estancia, and back towards the home paddock (and restaurant), with snow covered peaks in the backdrop.
A truly amazing experience – was able to capture images of the second hour as I gradually relaxed and became more comfortable on the horse. Breath-taking!!!!
Getting off (couldn’t really count it as ‘dismounting’) – once again on the tree stump, I had several aches and pains, and very wobbly legs. Horses were quickly unsaddled, and I looked around to find my horse, Chico. Didn’t recognise him – he was actually the small black one – not the biggest, as I had thought!!!
Back at camp, Mari and Richie had set up tents for us and organised a wine tasting evening for our first night in camp. Lots of fun and very enlightening – thanks guys. Every glass of wine has had everyone looking for 'legs;.
We might be camping in tents – but we have all our meals at a nearby restaurant. Super!!! And what a view!!
1 comment:
Love it.
Post a Comment