El Calafate - Argentina

I am now in El Calafate, the south of Argentina. Its xmas eve now.. we arrived yesterday and am staying at Hostel America Del Sur. This hostel has been voted one of the best hostel in south america for 2006. Its very nice here, the view from the common room overlooks Lago Argentina and its amazing. It was hard work getting here.... travelling down Route 40. 30 hours on the bus, covering 1550kms from Bariloche to here. The road are not path and we were not prepared to have no food stop or toilet stops. It was a real relieve to finally get to our destination and have a proper sleep.

We came here to see the amazing Perito Moreno glacier. Its one of the world´s biggest, about 60m high and 25kms long. We got to hike up the glacier today, for 2 hours. We walked in clamp-ons and it was an amazing experience to be on something that was formed 300yrs ago. When the ice breaks from the glacier, it sounds like thunder.

Tomorrow, we are going to the Lago Argentina in the hope of seeing some Flamingo´s (the bird). Tomorrow night we are meeting up with people that we met on the 3days bus ride and having xmas dinner together. Tonight, xmas eve, we are just going to chill out at the hostel with local wine.

Lots of people wants to use the internet. Merry Xmas to everyone and Happy New Year too!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=34925&l=32f61&id=602975978
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=35762&l=fa383&id=602975978