Patagonia is one of the last unspoiled places on earth, thanks to millennia of isolation between the Amazon jungle to the North, the Andes Mountains to the west, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south. Even today, it remains a vast open space with indigenous wildlife, spectacular scenery, and the occasional estancia (ranch).
Our trip began in Buenos Aires, which may be the most vibrant city in the Western Hemisphere. My favorite neighborhood is La Boca, where the party never seems to stop. Our adventure covered half a continent, from Buenos Aires to the Strait of Magellan. By boat, plane, bus, and on foot — we did it all!
Patagonia is almost infinitely varied. We traveled across mountains, glaciers, oceans, islands, rivers, forests, and plains to view an equally varied spread of wildlife. Penguins, right whales, sea lions, rheas, guanacos, sheep, horses, elephant seals, condors, foxes, and maras (a type of Patagonian hare) are only some of the critters we encountered on the journey.
And the food! Lamb played a starring role in many dishes, including my favorite, empanadas. My wife and I have traveled extensively, and both the quality and variety of dishes in Patagonia rivaled our gastronomic experiences anywhere else on Earth. In spite of all the hiking, I am sure we gained weight on this trip.
The hardest part of the trip? Selecting just a few images for this blog.
-Photos and text by Larry Kane, first-time WT adventurer, In Patagonia: Peninsula Valdes Departure
