l: torres del paine, patagonia
c: chile
s: autumn (shoulder)
h: tierra hotels
“She is a hard mistress. She casts her spell. An enchantress! She folds you in her arms and never lets go”.
Bruce Chatwin, in Patagonia.
It turns out I have a type.
Wild, remote, hyper seasonal and at the tippy tops and tippy bottoms of this earth.
Patagonia? Infatuated.
Welcome to one of the most extraordinary parts of this world. And welcome to one of the most extraordinary ways to experience it.
From four days photographing (and experiencing!) Tierra Patagonia and Torres Del Paine National park.
I arrived at Tierra Patagonia on a full moon one hour before midnight to the moonlit view from each of the hotels western facing windows - across the pampa and Sarmiento Lake, to the glimmering glacier topped peaks of Paine Massif. I made sure all of the blinds were wide open before crawling into bed that night. I knew waking up here at first light would be just the start of an absolutely unique, mind blowing and full of adventure experience.
The days to come, every one of them, were once in a lifetime worthy. I hiked through the national park, I rode horses, I met wildlife I didn’t know existed, I ate 5 star meals accompanied by 5 star wine, I spa’d and spa’d some more, I met a myriad of interesting and friendly people (both guests of the hotel and the ever accommodating hotel staff) and the whole time I didn’t, couldn’t, want for anything more - anything at all. Except more time.
Hotel Highlights:
Design: by the female Chilean architect, Cazú Zegers, woven into the landscape and echoing inspiration from the Patagonian winds, local Chilean estancias and the building style of the indigenous Tehuelche people.
Ethos: to create minimal trace and impact on nature, to work with Chilean locals and to provide endless activities for guests to learn about the untamed wilderness of the region. Eco tourism - yes, yes, yes.
The beauty of the wood: sustainably harvested, local Lenga wood
Holy what: the view from bed
Holy what what: the view from the spa (the spa!)
Adventure: tailored activities to your interests and ability level, organised and led by the ridiculously nice hotel adventure staff
Local wildlife: cruising around the hotel property
The food: local, hearty, delicious
The wine: Chilean, natural options!, delicious
The fireplace, the reading nooks, the walk down to the lake, the pre-bedtime tea, the…
Ps. These words and images are all shared because I chose to share them. It’s simply a place and an experience too special to keep quiet about.
Up next, the infatuation continues: Patagonia Pt 2 - The Landscape.