Torres del Paine is fantastic. We can't get over the beauty and abundance that we get to experience. So, a little layout of Explora Lodge: it is a magnificent lodge in the Park and everything is included. All of our excursions, meals, etc. When we got to the Chilean Border on Saturday, we were taken in an Explora Van to the Lodge. This is when we first met Stuart and Susan Graber from London. Actually, he is from New York, but they live in London....more on that later. As we mentioned in the last post, we had a small hike our first day. After that, in the evening, everyone attends an orientation session which gives a broad overview of all the various excursions and activities available. Then, that evening you sign up for the next days' excursions. The day-long trek to Grey Glacier looked very good so we met with the guide that was giving more detail on that hike and ended up signing up for it. We saw that the British couple were also doing Grey Glacier.
The next morning, we had to be in the lobby at 7:30 a.m. (don't ya love vacation?) and then we were driven to the starting point of our trek and divided into groups. It didn't appear as if we were going to be in the same group as Stuart and Susan, but somehow she made a switch and we were together. Also with us were an adorable young couple from Brazil, Gustav and Franciny, and another great couple from Israel, Anat and Opher. This was the beginning of "Grupo de Ocho", Group of Eight. We all just hit it off so well and this was a very long hike - 8 miles, all the way to the lake and then a boat ride to the glacier.
So, Stuart, as a good New Yorker should, LOVES to talk. I mean really loves to talk, even more so than Amoth's. The great thing is, he has fantastic stories and has us all in stitches! Then we have the wonderful Brazilian couple, who are gorgeous and funny as well. Add in our new Israeli friends and we had a mixture for happiness for the next four days.
Suffice to say from that point on we are all doing the same events, eating our meals together and literally laughing to pieces all the time. It has made this trip even more enjoyable than we could imagine. We are determined to keep in touch and I will start an email stream to ensure that we keep in contact. We have included pictures from the Grey Glacier and the Sunrise pictures we took the next morning at 4:30 AM!!!!!!!!!!!
We will add in pictures and more stories on the next post of Grupo de Ocho!
Adios!
5 comments:
Beyond Awesome. I am loving all the posting. It makes me want to head back down there (haven't been to Chile since 1992).
Drink it all in!
Very best,
Todd and Julie Everett
I just can't get over all the beauty in the picture! It's great that you have met such wonderful people to enjoy it with.
Yes and yes! We had such a wonderful "last" dinner together last night and we are sitting at breakfast looking at the fantastic views one last time before we start our long journey back to Buenos Aires and then to the US tomorrow.
Thanks for the comments.
Susan and I just finished a magnificent dinner at the Casa Real/Santa Anita Winery outside of Santiago. We saw Gustavo and Francini (the little Brazillians) at the Puenta Arenas Airport. Really missing you guys and the rest of Grupo Ocho. Hope you have a safe and comforable journey home.
Will check the blog daily.
Lots of Love and Pisco Sours for All
Susan and Stuart
Hey Stuart and Susan! Really wish we were at the winery with you! We are heading out shopping for our last day in Buenos Aires. Then the long journey home. I will post updates later today since we will have a ton of time to kill at the airport. I will get the Grupo de Ocho group pics up as well. Miss you too.
Ciao!
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