Perito Moreno Glacier, El Calafate, Argentina

The trip we took was a little different from those offered by the regular companies. This was a cool, alternate day trip organized by Hostel International. We drove the country side at sunrise stopping to admire the flora and fauna of the region.

This brings us to our second botany lesson. Remember Ecotones? This is a transition zone where the vegetation of two distinct climate zones merge. The town of El Calafate gets its name from the plant of the same name: a short stubby desert bush, almost like a bonsai, that populates most of this area. In the ecotone around the glacier, the desert steppe vegetation of calafate plants intersperse with grassy patches, tall Lenga, and Ñire trees.

During the bus ride, our guide gave us a history lesson about Patagonia and how the vast lands were privately owned by individuals and multinationals. He also pointed out the most exclusive hotel at the park with every room overlooking the glacier. The nightly rate was a whopping US$1000 while the campsite nearby, with the same view, could be yours for US$5.

A two hour ride brought us to the park before the place was swarming with tourist buses. We were left to walk the balconies at leisure. No words can do justice to this glacier, our pictures will do the work. Every so often, a large chunk of ice would come crashing down on the lake with a thunder. The awestruck observers would hold their breath with every gunshot-like sound rendered in the background. This is truly a wondrous sight, the best we´ve ever seen in our lives. This is the money!

Later in the afternoon, we hiked a short distance to the port. An exhilarating catamaran ride took us right in front of the glacier that towered high above our heads, with blue icebergs swimming around us changing colors and shapes every minute. You could take the experience with you in your heart - or in your throat- by sipping a whisky on ¨glacier rocks¨.