Patagonian Bliss

Well, not exactly. The scenery was certainly beautiful, but the tour we took today was lacking in many respects. First, the operations weren't coordinated too well. We were left hanging at several spots without anyone giving us direction where to go. Second, there was virtually no English translation (well I guess us Americans are being given a taste of our own medicine). Third, the tour bus came almost 45 minutes late.

We started out at around 9:45. We drove in a westernly direction along Nahuel Huapi lake. There are beautiful mountains everywhere and it's a very scenic drive. We arrived at the disembarkation port within an hour. Nearby is the famous Llao Llao hotel (I took a photo).

We had to wait in line with what seemed like 200 0ther people. We paid an entrance fee to the Nahuel Huapi National Park. Then we waited about 1-2 hour for the boat to arrive (it was a catamaran). Like I said before, it wasn't a smoothly run operation.

While waiting on line, we met an Israeli and English couple (I thought the British chap was actually Australian because of the hat he was wearing. Can you imagine that?). We chatted with them throughout the trip.

The boat ride is very scenic and one can clearly see how this lake appears to be endless. At the very least, it's one island and lake segment after the other. After about 1 1/2 hour on the lake, we arrived at Puerto Blest at 12:20. We ate at the restaurant there (salads and desert). Afterwards, we waited for another bus, while Diana was attacked by what she thought were bees (I kept telling her they were large flies impersonating bees, and that she should relax. Hey, remember she's pregnant; I have to keep her calm!).

Fortunately, the bus ride to Puerto Alegro was short. From there, we took a smaller boat across Lago Frias. It's a small lake somewhat akin to Lake Louise in Canada, although not quite as picturesque. The main attraction is the snow-covered volcano Trondanor majestically raising its head just beyond the lake.

We stopped at a ¨rain forest" for 15 minutes. Again, can you imagine that?! That was a disappointment. We returned by boat and then by bus back to Puerto Blest. From there, it was another boat ride to the "waterfalls" (they are really cascades). The trek up the pathway is beautiful. Here was the rain forest we were expecting to see. There are several types of trees here, and one could hear the sporatic sounds of some type of koo-koo bird. About half-way up the trail, one could hear the first rumblings of the cascades. Then without warning, the cascades come into view. It's a picturesque site and we took advantage of it, while Diana kept fighting off the "bees".

I continued upward for the final half of the trail. Diana stayed at the half-way point. It's a bit more strenuous for the last part. At the top is a small lake (Lago Cantaros) with large granite formations as its backdrop (this and some other granite mountains reminds me of Yosemite). Nearby is one of the oldest trees in the world (1500 years old?). I'll have to read up more about it.

So the trip ended with a nice touch. It's beautiful there, but there were too many people on tours to enjoy the nature.

We returned by boat and arrived back just after 6:00.