Bariloche is a city of approximately 100,000 people, making it the largest city in Argentina’s “Lake District”. The city is surrounded by beautiful mountains on one side, and Lago Nahuel Huapi on the other. Although the city is cute, all of the best “attractions” are located outside of the city in the surrounding mountains and national parks. Except for the famous chocolate, of course. [Read more…] about Bariloche: Lakes & Chocolate
Patagonia
El Calafate & the Perito Moreno Glacier
We had another early start to the day on Sunday, as we walked to the bus station in Puerto Natales one final time. I was happy to say goodbye to the numerous stray dogs roaming the streets, as well as the poorly insulated aluminum houses. The bus ride from Puerto Natales was 5 hours north, a pleasant ride with nice scenery. The area between Puerto Natales is mostly praire/desert, barren, yellowing grass with small, low growing shrubbery. The horizon met with the jagged mountains, which were impressive even from a distance. Fortunately, we had a beautiful sunny day, and one of the clearest blue skies I have ever seen. [Read more…] about El Calafate & the Perito Moreno Glacier
Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine National Park
Where do I even begin when it comes to writing about Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine National Park? First of all, the reason that tourists flock to this area of Patagonia is due to the famous “W” trek in Torres del Paine National Park. The park is famous for it’s towers, which have a very interesting geological background (of which I don’t know enough about to discuss). This area attracts individuals who are passionate for the mountains and for trekking, and it is almost guaranteed that if they have not already been, these individuals have Torres del Paine on their list of places they would like to visit. [Read more…] about Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine National Park
Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego National Park
Well the last few days in Patagonia have definitely been an adjustment. Not only is it freezing way down south, but it has also been a change of pace from life in BA. Since Brazil, I’ve gone from wearing as little as is acceptably possible to wearing as much as possible. Because I have very few warm articles of clothing, I essentially wear the same thing everyday: leggings, track pants, a Lulu tank, a light hoodie, a bigger hoodie, and then my jacket. On top of that, I bundle up in a scarf and headband, both of which were made more for looks than for warmth, and are not entirely effective in this cold climate. All of that is enough to keep me decently warm down here. [Read more…] about Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego National Park
Buenos Aires to Ushuaia
Prior to our 2 weeks in Buenos Aires, we made a list of everything that we wanted to see and do while there. One of the things that I really wanted to see was a tango show. Some of the people that we had become friends with from our class said that they were going on Tuesday… and then when Tuesday fell through, they said Wednesday…. and then they were tired on Wednesday, and that fell through, so Ryan and I were going to go on our own on Thursday… but then there was a traffic strike on Thursday. For those of you who know me, I am a bit of a control freak, so this type of thing drives me mental. It’s one of the things I’m attempting to work on while traveling, so I was trying to not let it bother me, even though it definitely was bothering me. [Read more…] about Buenos Aires to Ushuaia