Heaven

Writing to you from the most spectacular spot on earth!

The 2.45 am start was worth it. We got to the Santiago airport and boarded our 5.50 am plane which took us 20 degrees south to Punta Arenas- a hub for exploring this magnificence.
It was cold enough that there were islands with snow on them - these were on the edge of the filigree that is southern Chile and we got a taste of things to come.

We were then picked up in a private van and took the 4.5 hour trip to Tierra Patagonia with complimentary canned mushroom sandwiches- yum yum. The land starts off flat with small nuggety trees bent to the south west by the permanent north East 'Patagonian breeze'- which today was an average 80 km per hour. The colours are totally gorgeous- earthy greens and browns with aqua and green lakes and lagunas as we made our way along the "Road of the end of the world"

We passed stumpy forests whose trees were covered in a beardy ancient lichen and the roadside was littered with gorgeous delicate purple and pink flowers - possibly the humble gladioli?

Things got serious about half way in when we turned a corner and saw a first glimpse of our destination- Torres del Paine.  

Well this is not quite the first glimpse but a better piccy. 

We dropped by the driver's town- Punta Natalas - a fishing and tourism base. Is this a representation of the melting ice which they must surely feel the effects of this far south?

The mountains were edging up on us and we eventually swung north and the famous spires came into view-majestic wonders.

These are the new three Spires- sorry my photo download is mucking up so can't share all I want to. 

Not too far up the road is the hotel - Tierra Patagonia which you can see here buried in the landscape.(no you can't because the photo thing is not talking properly). 

It sits on Lago Sarmiento and the spectacular view here is from mums bedroom! Bloody amazing wouldn't you agree?
(You would if you could see it so I will show you an almost identical one)

We have already seen some of the animal life - rias - a type if emu and guanicas- cousins of the llama. 

We went for a short walk down to the lake and the wind was ferocious- wow- you have to be tough out here - but not inside - where you can be as soft and flabby as you please. Here is the lounge and dining and bar which we plan to test out shortly.

 We'll waddle off to the spa later and report back to you later. 

However I must away as it is the golden hour and time for photographs......

Very hard to shoot west and do it justice. Bernie we are coming back so you can see this gorgeous photogenic place. Start a new holiday account today!!

Can't download my sunset so here are our bathroom doors instead

Even the bath has a panorama.

Goodnight- must prepare ourselves for horse riding tomorrow.eek!!