Torres del Paine National Park is located in south Chile in the Patagonia region. It felt like being at home as the park has very similar terrain to Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta - beautiful mountains, rolling hills and glaciers.
We had a long van ride to get to the park. We became instant friends with the other folks in the van and we did several excursions with them.
From left to right are Sebastian and Carolina (from Santiago, Chile) and Marina, Mikhail and their son Konstantin (from Riverview, Florida). They were great travel companions and you'll see them in several of our photos. They're also very good photographers and the good photos of us were probably taken by one of them.
Our first excursion was a short hike to "Condor Vista".
For the next two days, the two of us went on separate excursions as Vanessa really wanted to go horseback riding and Blake really didn't. Blake isn't a fan of horses and preferred to use his feet to get around.
Blake's first excursion was a trek to the French Glacier that was 16 kilometres (10 miles) round-trip. The weather was perfect and the scenery was amazing.
Vanessa hadn't been horseback riding for a long time so she was thrilled to be able to ride in Torres del Paine.
More to come!
Vanessa and Blake
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| Mountains in Torres del Paine |
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| Rolling hills in the park |
We had a long van ride to get to the park. We became instant friends with the other folks in the van and we did several excursions with them.
From left to right are Sebastian and Carolina (from Santiago, Chile) and Marina, Mikhail and their son Konstantin (from Riverview, Florida). They were great travel companions and you'll see them in several of our photos. They're also very good photographers and the good photos of us were probably taken by one of them.
Our first excursion was a short hike to "Condor Vista".
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| All smiles as the weather was fine |
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| Blake surrounded by "mother-in-law" bushes that are covered with thorns |
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| Guanacos are relatives of llamas and are found all over the park |
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| It was very windy at the top - you had to lean to avoid getting blown away |
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| We did see a condor at "Condor Vista" |
For the next two days, the two of us went on separate excursions as Vanessa really wanted to go horseback riding and Blake really didn't. Blake isn't a fan of horses and preferred to use his feet to get around.
Blake's first excursion was a trek to the French Glacier that was 16 kilometres (10 miles) round-trip. The weather was perfect and the scenery was amazing.
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| This was just the start |
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| The glacier is between the two groups of mountains |
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| Mountain reflected in the lake |
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| Lichen growing on a rock |
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| Water running off the glacier is drinkable - it's cold and delicious after a long hike |
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| French Glacier |
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| Part of the glacier near the top of the mountain |
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| Blake and Konstantin "tebowing" (ask a football fan if you need an explanation) |
Vanessa hadn't been horseback riding for a long time so she was thrilled to be able to ride in Torres del Paine.
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| Ready to ride - all I need is a horse |
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| Gauchos are like cowboys but they dress much better |
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| The stables were unbelievably clean |
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| Out on the trail |
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| Lots of nice scenery |
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| Easy rolling hills - the harder riding is tomorrow! |
More to come!
Vanessa and Blake
