Monday 21st December 2009

We were both a bit ropey today as Kevin has a cold and Joan had a bad stomach. Luckily we had booked a boat trip to see the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciars.

The landlady kindly both tickets for us and gave us an early morning tour.

We drover out to Punta Bandera, with lots of tour coaches and collectivos to catch a catarmaran.

Yesterday the weather was pleasant and warm, but today was wet and windy. It was nice to be able to stay in the warmth of the boat.

The Upsala Glaciar is the largest on the Southern Patagonian icefield. It is 60 km long and 5 -7 km wide at the front. Unfortunately the access to the glaciar was blocked by icebergs so the trip had modified so we didn't visit Upsala or do a walk over Bahia Onelli - a typical area of Patagonian rainforest.

Icebergs blocking the canal to Upsala

We then sailed to Glaciar Spegazzini which has the highest "snout" of all the glaciars. Depending on the day, it is is 80 to 125 metres high. There were lots of icebergs near it.

The snout of Glaciar Spegazzini

Finally, to compensate the passengers for not visiting Upsala, the boat went up the Canal of Tempranos (icebergs) to see Perito Moreno again. It was bitterly cold, and we only ventured on deck for the briefest of moments.

Tonight Kevin bought home-made pasta from a shop - all in Spanish.

We are writng this at 10.30 at night. It is just going dark and has started to rain. It is the summer solstice here, tomorrow the days begain to shorten!

Tomorrow we are heading north to cross into Chile, and to drive the Carretera Austral. Not sure what internet connection there will be......