Where in the world?

Fairwell to sunny Buenos Aires and hello the cold and blustery south of Chile. I met up with my trek buddy and all seemed well with the world (like that would last!!!). Spent a couple of days in Punta Arenas, a military town and the people were great. Some of them actually spoke English and in fact, even if I spoke Spanish they replied in English. See, just trying to improve their language skills but not helping me much. Headed off to Puerto Natales which is a small town and the jumping off point to Torres Del Paine national Park. Two days there to get sorted out for some serious trekking. I thought that I'd packed pretty light but had taken one things that was real heaavvvyyyy. My trekking partner (Names have been changed to protect the innocent!!). Before heading to the park we discussed our route, I thought we were doing the standard 'W' route that a lot of people take. It then transpired that he had bad ankles.....knees.......bad back........high blood pressure........and..........the biggest camera I've seen this side of David Bailey! He'd also bought new, yes NEW boots, doh
I was starting to get a bad feeling about the whole trip but all was planned and off we went. I decided if it got that bad I could push him over a cliff!

A BEAUTIFUL VIEW ON THE WAY TO VALLE FRANCES

LAGO PEHOE ON DAY 1

The scenery is spectacular and took many photos. After one day I took to either going faster or slower than my partner so I didn't have to listen to the constant whining. I know that I can chat (understatement) but it was beautiful and the silence was perfect, and he was ruining it.

GREY GLACIAR

We stayed in the park for 5 days and then I managed to lose him.
The walks I did alone were actually better, I climbed up to see Las Torres at 0430hrs with a german and belgian couple. It was a bit of a trek in the pitch-black and a bit cloudy so the colours weren't great, but it was the doing it 'bit' that was great.

LAS TORRES

Headed for El Calafate and somehow our bags managed to get from Puerto natales to Torres Del Paine and onto a tourist bus from El calafate which we used to hop the border. We used Hospadaje Nancy in Puerto natales and Andrea was excellent at organising everything and didn't cream off a high commission like some unnameable hostels! Spent a few days in El calafate which is a pretty little (but rapidly expanding) town and the jumping off spot for Perito Moreno glaciar.