Hola !!

We are now in Puerto Natales, Chili. Yesterday we had a restday in National Parc Torres del Paines. But before we gor there we had to beat the wind, because we were going to the west. Not only the wind was the problem, there was also rain, snow, hail and lots and lots of head wind....

After we left El Calafate, we had to cycle for three days to reach another restday, and we knew that these days could be tough and difficult to cycle. First we went to Tapi Aike, a long stretch to the east, so we had some tail winds, and then we turned right, onto the dirt roads, and started to have some head winds... we were lucky, because the wind wasn´t that strong during this part of the trip. After we reached the camp site, we couldn´t stay there because the owner wasn´t there. Finally after some waiting we found a spot, next to a gas station where we could pitch our tents. Next morning we left for Cerro Castillo, a small village. When we left, there was already a bit of rain, that started to be a huge snow storm. Wind was blowing the snow horizontally over the road, and it was bitter cold, not a good day for cycling. the stretch was only 57 kilometers, but it was like hell ... When I finally reached theChillian boarder, there was a cafe next to it where we stayed for a while to heat up, and drunk some hot chocolade with rum, very nice !! The camping was a garden at somebodys home, nice location and also very windy again, the wind was very strong that night, but the tent resisted the wind.Great tent!! From there we went to Torres del Paine, a National Parc in Chili with high mountains, glaciers and nice scenery. We also had our restday here. We went to LakeGrey, there was a great glacier. This bay is full with icebergs that are floating in thewater and washes ashore at the opposite of the glacier. Again very windy, and when we went to the view point it was almost impossible tokeep standing. After we got back with the fire trucks,we went to the condor nests, but the birds were not home ... nice climb, great views from the top. The next stop is Punta Arenas, 3 days cycling from here. We should have had the worst, because now we are going south and east, and when the wind doesn´t change, we will have tail wind, or wind from the side.

Almost there, 6 more cycling days to go. I am now in a hostel in Puerto Natales, and everything is still going great. Everybody is getting tired and moody, and I think that we all will be veryu happy when we are in Ushuaia ....

Adios!!