Flying so much quicker than the bus!

We hopped a 1 hr 20 min flight from Ushuaia to Elcalafate, further north than we had been and a whole lot more comfy than the 12 hour bus ride.

First Impression of El Calafate is the strange dryness of the place, with the views of snow capped Andes mountains in the distance. Apparently the Andes cast a massive rain shadow so the snow and ice give way to green beech forest for only a short time before it turns to steppe.

The steppe is really dry with very low water plants, and we have seen very littl wildlife.

As this is the last part of our trip we have that crappy situation of not having enough time to do another adventure, say trekking at Mt Fitzroy, but being so close you can see it! 

Instead have done some good museum and interpretive things, such as visiting the Glacarium, which tells you all things icy!

Have also had a chance to sample plenty of Argentina beer, including a cool new craft brewery called La Zorra. Dark beer is popular here so note 2 ports and a stout, happy days !

We also tried the asado, which involves the lamb begin slow cooked over fire, usually in the restaurant window. The resulting barbecued meat is delicious.