Click on a photo to see a larger image and the slideshows

Patagonia

We toured Patagonia from north to south starting in Argentina and ending in South Chile.
 
Los Glaciers National Park in Argentina is breathtakingly beautiful. The Glaciers were awesome!  There is no doubt that beholding the glaciers is one of the most dazzling experiences on Earth. The light waves on the compressed ice provides a display of varying depths of blue. We saw the glaciers close up from a ship and we also trekked on the great Perito Moreno glacier wearing clampons on our boots.
 
Torres del Paine in southern Chile is a spectacular park and one of the most beautiful, unspoiled and remote places on earth.
 
Despite it being summer it was cold!  Cloud lingered over the mountains and glaciers. Away from the glaciers it was mainly blue skies but the wind was bitterly cold meaning that hats, gloves and scarves were necessary attire.
 
Easter Island

Easter Island is one of the most isolated islands on Earth with a 5 hour flight to get there from mainland Chile. Early settlers called the island "Te Pito O Te Henua" (Navel of The World).

It is most famous for its enigmatic giant stone statues - Moai. Built centuries ago, these reflect the history of the dramatic rise and fall of the most isolated Polynesian culture. Their destruction and the loss of the population was due to the remoteness, overpopulation, deforestation and tribal rivalry. A lesson to be learnt by the rest of the World!

It was very hot, 32C and and very dusty with only 2 decent roads. There is no evidence of a sustainable tree planting scheme. The only forested area is in the centre of the island. Just about everything except fish is imported.