It was a long road trip to our base from which we explored in a day a small part of the Torres del Paine National Park. Although a small section of the park it was to be a spectacular experience in high country. Getting there from Calafate was an experience too!

We got away at the appointed hour of 6.45am after an early breakfast. Our destination was the Singular Hotel Patagonia, just outside the town of Puerto Natales. It is located on the shore line overlooking Last Hope Inlet, at the end of a 59km fjord complex. It is called Last Hope because an early explorer worked his way around the fjords trying to find a way through to the Atlantic, so avoiding going around Cape Horn.

The road trip basically followed the Route 40 markers south west along the southern spine of Chile. The landscape either side of the road was a little reminiscent of Australia’s outback, without the red colours and replaced by a glaciated landscape. There were long stretches of road with seemingly never ending livestock paddocks.

We had a convenience stop at the Hotel La Esperanza. It is in a small town of the same name with about fifty inhabitants, rather tired looking.

Seems to be in just the right place though for a stop to break the journey.

Further along we needed to stop and cross over into Chile. Joined the queue of buses and cars. It took a little while, it is a small outpost. Can’t photograph the official buildings.

Luckily, as well as humans the border crossing was manned by a dog. The dog sniffed our luggage in the bus hold, otherwise it would have had to be taken off and put through a scanner machine. No problems.

The Singular Hotel is a restored early 1900s sheep processing plant, much of the machinery is still in place as exhibition items. It has been restored to its former Industrial Revolution and early 20th century shining glory.

The plant closed in the mid 1950s (I think and will check up). The factory complex was made from bricks imported from England along with much of the machinery.

We were at the Singular for two nights. After a late lunch, we put our feet up and enjoyed the view over the inlet.

Get away time the next morning was kinder, 8.30 am for the hour or so drive to the National Park.