I took a really slow and relaxed start to the day and was
surprised to find that my legs and feet were not screaming at me. We spent the
morning exchanging pics with the team and packing my bag.
I ran out to get a sandwich for the bus and then made my way
to the bus station after a few farewells at the hostel (and a few hellos to new
friends). The walk to the bus station seemed so much closer than it was when we
left for Torres del Paine. I think I’m getting used to this pack!
On the bus I started reading and made my way through a few
pages before finding myself nodding off again. The next thing we were stopping
at the Chilean border so I jumped out with my passport in hand and fortunately
all worked without a hitch this time. We then returned to the bus and drove a
little further down the road to the Argentinean border crossing were I was one
of the first to get my passport stamped so sat in the sun waiting for the bus
to fill up.
We got back on the bus and were on our way again, next stop
El Calafate. Yes, I fell asleep again and woke up as we were entering the town.
El Calafate is much bigger than most of the other towns that I have recently
been to and the Argentinean government has spent a lot of money in the area to promote
tourism and this can be seen throughout the city with new and modern looking
buildings all over.
At the bus station I sorted out some tickets for Cheryl and
Rowan to get from El Chalten to Esquile and then made my way to the hostel
(which was just 2 min walk away)! At the hostel my Spanish was tested to its
full when the lady at reception could not speak any English. I was actually
surprised at how well we communicated considering how limited my Spanish is but
we sorted ourselves out.
After putting my bags in my room I made my way into town to
find a tour to go trekking on the Perito Merino Glacier but unfortunately they
were all sold out so just booked a tour to go visit the glacier.
I made my way to La Tolderia for some drinks and dinner
while I waited for Masha who was going to stay with may as Cheryl and Rowan had
a bus mix up and were only going to arrive the following day. Here I enjoyed a
few of the local beers and I decided to try the lamb. After all, this area
reminded me so much of the karoo the lamb must be good. The lamb was good, but
not the same as our good old karoo lamb but then again, as a South African, I
am spoilt with the quality of our meat.
After dinner I made my way back to the hostel to get some
Wifi so I could meet Masha and let her into the hostel. She arrived after
midnight and after doing a little planning we made our way back to Le Tolderia
for a few drinks before bed.
When we walked in they had opened another section (which
they call the saloon) where there was a stage and big TV’s flashing “Karaoke
Show”. We decided to grab a table and some beers and see where this goes. At
about 2am a guy came onto the stage and started singing in Spanish and after
his song started talking (very quickly) and the crowd (which was now rather
large) started to liven up.
The MC sang another song before some locals (at least
Spanish speakers) got up and started singing. Some were decent and some were
tone deaf but it was entertaining. Masha and I just looked at each other and
laughed. After a few beers we decided to head back to the hostel and sort out
plans for the next day.
We got to the hostel at about 3:30 where Masha decided not
to go to El Chalten but stay an extra day in El Calafate but was going to get
up at 7am to sort out buses etc and I was going to get up at about the same
time to catch my tour to go see another glacier (I have lost count of how many
I have seen but they are all so different and amazing).