Antarctica and Beyond!: Day 19 – 14 January 2013. Punta Arenas to Eco Camp

Up early, omelette’s made to order for breaky. Out to buy some snacks for tip to Eco Camp.

Punta was buzzing this morning, we went to Unimarc about 9.30 and saw many more sellers in the streets, fruit shops we hadn’t noticed before. Quite a few military/police wandering in the crowds.. Back to Hotel, with a new message bus now due at 11.00.

We were met by Francesca and driver Roverto- plus 5 others off to Eco Camp

· Susanne and Brian from Canada

· Gina from US

· Gabrielle from Brazil

· Andy from England

Francesca outline the day – 5 hours drive time plus

1. Stop at Puerto Natales at Eco Camp office to do passport and immigration papers

2. Lunch

3. Stop at Milodon Caves – a huge cave once home to Giant Sloth, Sabre Tooth Tigre, large Llamas etc. Also an opportunity to learn about the glaciology and geology of the area.

Then another 2 hours to Eco Camp. Once at TdP NP entrance, it’s only 7 kms to Eco Camp, but the river is in flood from the snow/ice melt and the trip in is ‘complicated’

4. Also we can stop to photograph Paine Mountain range – which is a great panoramic view.

So 7 ½ hour day to arrive at EcoCamp and meet the guides etc.

We arrived at Puerto Natales at 2.15 or so – did our papers, then up the road to a lovely little restaurant for our ‘included’ lunch. I chose Legume Soup and Chickpea Stew plus Mint water and a glass of Sauv. Blanc. All very nice followed by a Yoghurt Tarte with Calafete sauce.

Mary, Andy and I took a walk around PN and the pier and waterfront. A few more joined our group – Sherry, a travel writer from the US, plus Carly from Wales and another couple. Most are on a 7 day tour, not our 5 day one.

Time is going by in a Chilean way – ie everything takes longer than initially indicated, seems we will arrive about 8pm now.

Back on bus abut 4.30 to head for TdP NP via the Milodon Cave.

Puerto Natales is on a lake (probably joins the sea) with Mountains all around. Still really warm tho. Very neat streets and parks and houses are a little more neat and tidy.

Tea was good, we had to dumpr our gear in our Dome and go straight to tea to join the rest of the “Safari” group who were already eating. Met some nice poms – Andy and Linda from East Anglia and some nice yanks Glen and Dianne.

Off to bed after a cuppa in the bar.

Plenty warm enough – the bed has polarfleece blankets for sheets top and bottom, then another polarfleece eiderdown plus a doona, bedspread and sheepskin.