Hola chicos,

We have our bags again! The day after we arrived the airline told us to go to the airport to try to get our bags. So that´s what we did, and we found them. Everything went the Argetinian way, claro que sí!. We had to wait for ages of course in the arrivals hall, and then we had to wait again, and wait some more, whilst seeing our bags on a cart outside of the terminal, but finally we got our bags!

Then a beautiful day in Ushuaia followed, with a trip to a pinguin colony in the Beagle channel. Incredible, so many pinguins and also 2 different types of pinguins! They were really cool, as pinguins are of course, and really, really funny

They made a sort of yelling-noise, never heard it before. And were playing in the ocean, like small children, and pulled stunts endlessly. Of course, we took loads of pictures, and will try to upload some of them.

Afterwards, we went to the National Parque Tierra del Fuego, and did a hike of 3 hours. At the start of the trail was the southernmost postoffice in the world, at which a charming old guy was working, who listened to classical music and stamped our passports and postcards. Really nice! The hike was absolutely gorgeous, with beautiful views of lakes, mountains, birds, animals like a fox, a grouse-like bird and woodpeckers ( we heard them giggle, and now understand why Woody Woodpecker makes the sound he makes, real woodpeckers make exactly this noise).

The next day, 26 Febr, we took a 13 hours busdrive to Puerto Natales in Chile. It takes a while but then you really get something

We had to go through the passport controls, which took about 2 hours ( never thought we would at one time appreciate Schengen that much). During our trip we crossed the Magellan Strait by ferry, and some Comorran dolphins were swimming beside the boat, beautiful! Back on land again, the next surprise was waiting for us, in the vast grasslands beside the roads, suddenly emus were grazing. We really had to look twice. Some hours before we also had to make a double-take: between the many sheep, suddenly there were sheep with very, very long necks, a.k.a. lamas!

We arrived in Puerto Natales at 9 pm, and walked to our hostel: a hostel that religiously recycles everything they use, bakes its own bread, is build with green and recycled materials. And has very nice hosts! Upon arrival in Puerto Natales, we immediately noticed some big differences between Argentina and Chile. The atmosphere is more relaxed in Chile, and then of course the food: que rico! After 2 weeks of only meat, suddenly lots of fish and seafood on the menu. We had a lovely meal with fish, potatoes, veggies and rice.

This morning we talked to our hosts at breakfast and they are really harcore recycle junkies and told us about their passion. Also, they told us a bit about how they feel about people from Argentina. This in a way confirmed what we already read and experienced so far. Small country vs. big country basicly.

Today is a relaxing day, a true Sunday. Tomorrow, we will go for a 5 day hike to the National Parc Torres del Paine. We will be offline for about a week, but will be back

Take care and hasta luego!