3 hour bus trip from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, a jumping off point to visit Torres del Paine National Park. Picked up my car and I was off on the next adventure…..coming across unsealed roads very quickly, that would be the serrated surface of all my trips in the National Park in the coming days. And very dusty roads to boot…

My first views of the Massif Range over Lago Toro that late afternoon. 

A view of my cabin from the hill overlooking the Rio Serrano…

Only to discover that I had been billeted to another hotel for the night, Pampa Lodge, a kilometre down the road, as my hotel had a busload of unruly guests the previous day who had trashed a number of rooms that had to be repaired (quickly). 20 guests had to be re-accommodated apparently. 

I was very happy with my billet! Lovely view from bedroom and lounge; comfortable accommodations and attentive staff.

Fab restaurant linked to the Lodge, Quicho, 400 metres away, with a delicious salad of broccoli, lettuce and a new veggie for me, palmito (the edible inner part of the stem of the cabbage palm tree, with a flavour similar to artichoke/asparagus) – flavoured with a delectable lemon/garlic dressing!!!

And the sunset! Beautiful! Really looking forward to adventures tomorrow. 

The staff have fired up the heaters for the night and there is a lovely alpine wood smell and instant warmth when you come out of the howling wind.