Trip Wrap-Up and a Look Back

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At Beautiful Lago Gray

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Looking Back on Patagonia, a Wrap-Up

What (another) great trip! Patagonia is really special. We loved the new friends we made traveling together, and those we met along the way. From the big city of Buenos Aires to the hamlets on Chiloe Island to the villages of the steppes, we were very fortunate to see it all.

According to all the pre-trip advisories from OAT, from friends who had gone before, and from our trip leader, we needed to be prepared for potentially harsh weather conditions. Patagonia, even in its summer, is ALWAYS WINDY, and it's possible that we could have experienced snow and sleet and ice. Nope, not on this trip. Gabo provided us with his special karma and really great weather. We had blue skies, saw all the mountains and volcanoes and glaciers without clouds, and never really needed our gloves or long underwear. Our penguino-watching boat excursion only goes out about 50% of the time because of strong winds off the Pacific. Guess which 50% we were in.. RIGHT! We had a perfect day.

I can't say enough about the nice people in our group, a great combination of couples and singles, older and younger. 

Linda, Lori, Patti, Carole


Mike and Melissa

Martha, Melissa, Claire

Doug and Judy

Patti, Lori, Pancho, Carole, Linda

Debbie and Jerry

I know I keep coming back to him, but the glue that holds the entire expedition together is the Trip Experience Leader (in OAT terms), and ours was a native of Buenos Aires, a world traveler in his own right, an actor and accountant, Gabo Candel. Honestly, I have never met a TEL that I wasn't fond of; they all do a great job. But Gabo is the ultimate. He is the one that could/should teach all the others. One might use the phrase "over and above the call of duty," but Gabo lives it. He is approachable, leads with a great sense of FAMILY and is humble and


gracious to all. Even when he "mentions" that you shouldn't have been late for the bus, or whatever, he does it in a way that doesn't even begin to demean you. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious.



For those considering this awesome OAT adventure, don't hesitate. The two most strenuous hikes are "A to A," meaning you can turn around and go back to the bus at any point when you hit your "wall." I did that twice. The other hikes are easy-peasy. The hotels all serve breakfast, and are all "acceptable" or better. The food in Patagonia is terrific, and wine/beer is served with all the included meals. Suggestions for meals that are not included are always available from your guide or TEL. 

What a great trip to start off my year. Thanks for following, and for your critiques and comments.

Here are some random shots not previously seen. A "bonus" page of photos as it were:

Buenos Aires






Bariloche













Puerto Varas


Making Pisco Sours, Shake it, Martha !






L

Home Visit for Dinner

Chiloe Island









Puenta Arenas

Hold on to the railings when the wind blows !


On the Road Again, to Torres del Paine

Rhea Ostrich

Guanacos

First Views (OMG!!)











In the Bar 








Lady’s Slipper Wildflower 



Never saw a live puma, darn it! 



Clouds Rolling In, The "Usual" View

El Calafate

Gaucho and Sheep Dog



Gaucho Ranch





On To the Glacier







Final Evening, Farewell Dinner

Mushroom Risotto

The Final Dessert
Calafate Berry Ice Cream

¡Buon Viajes!


Back to the Home Page

Back to Buenos Aires


My Previous Blogs

2013 Safari in Tanzania and Kenya
(my first blogging attempt)

2022 Paris and AMAWaterways Rhone River Tour

2023 Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs

2023 GCT Australia, New Zealand, Fiji

2024 OAT Ultimate Safari in Southern Africa

2025 Morocco Tour

2025 OAT Mediterranean Discovery Cruise

2025 OAT Cinque Terre and the Dolomiti, Northern Italy


*If you should contact OAT about traveling with them, please use my name
(they know me as Francis Lyons) as a reference. You will get a discount on your next trip, and so will I.

JayLyons, Tucson, Arizona
JayLyons@aol.com

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