We left Buenos Aires around mid day to the airport to catch our flight to El Calafate. Yesterday, was the first day of the New Year and we stayed home. Relaxed and packed our bags. Did some homework and had our last dinner at “home”. The night before, we had been in touch with friends and family around the world. From Spain and Holland who were 4,5 hours ahead and Sri Lanka with an 8 hours difference. We got messages popping in with ” Happy New Year!!” around 4 / 5pm in the afternoon. Ruben was most concerned because of his girlfriend Maya who he is still steady in touch with. So happy for him!
Now in Calafate, it all seemed to have gone so fast. The flight was 3,5 hours! Amazing if you think that in Europe we would have flown over 5 countries ( Madrid to Copenhagen). Such a big country! When you arrive, you get a sense of that very quickly. A wild, rough landscape with nothing to be seen for hours. Just dunes, steps and mountains.
Fortunately, our hotel looks out over Lago Argentina. The most stunning view! This morning, we went for a walk down the lake. Trying to keep standing up because the wind is very strong and cold. Gosh, how would this haven been in winter!
During our walk down to the lake from the hotel, we were followed by a beautiful dog, At first we thought he was lost but then we realised that it was a street dog. Coming from Sri Lanka, the poor animals look terrible, but here in El Calafate they are looking so healthy and happy! So the boys were amused as he followed us later into town where we had a hot chocolate. It was so cold!
After we were warmed up, we explored the little town and made a few reservations for tomorrow and the day after. One to visit “El Parque Nacional de Glaciares” and a horse riding excursion out of town for the following day. How exciting! I can’t wait! X
The Five Gypsies 