We leave Punta Arenas early for the long drive to Puerto Natales and the Torres del Paine. It will take us at least 12 hours of driving and a couple of rest stops to make it to our ultimate destination, the camp site in the Torres del Paine.
Torres del Paine was created in 1959 and was declared part of the International Biosphere Reserve Network by UNESCO.
The Paine Massif is a small system of mountains, completely separate from the Patagonian Andes range. The range is a mix of granite and sedimentary rock formed about 12 million years ago, when magma penetrated through a crack in Magellan’s basin.
On the way to the campsite we stop at Puerto Natales, the gateway to the park to pick up supplies. This was once a thriving fishing port but today, it is tourism that keeps the economy ticking. 
The drive is stunning and the clouds make amazing patterns in the sky that has me glued to the window. 
If I was driving, it would take me days to get there, because I would need to stop every 5 minutes to take yet another picture.
Ally informs us that we have the option of a 3 
hour horse ride in the park before we make it to camp. A number of us decide we want to experience the park in true South American fashion, and hop off the truck to go riding. 
I am little apprehensive initially, but I’ve made the right decision! The park is so beautiful and to experience it from on top of a horse is just fabulous! 
It has been awhile since I did any riding, so it isn’t long before my knees start to feel sore. The stunning landscape makes up for it and we thoroughly enjoy the views and the beautiful weather. It is a brilliant day and we make our way up a mountain for panoramic, picture post card views of this incredible place. 
Coming downhill is far more challenging than going uphill, but we hang on as the horses make the final gallop home. It has been a wonderful introduction to our 3 nights of camping in the Torres del Paine.
I spend Day 2 hiking Frances Valley. We wake up early to catch the catamaran to our trail head. The walk, which is described as undulating, is spectacular and I take my time to enjoy the views as well as the hiking. I walk with Katie, a girl who hails from my part of the world and lives on the beaches of Manly. 
We chat, eat and stop to smell the roses. We walk past the campground and make it to a wonderful view point to enjoy the spectacular scenery. We are not hell bent on reaching the summit. 
The view point gives us stunning views of the mountains, the glacier and the river that carries the glacial melt. We chill and chat as we eat our lunch and reflect on what comes next in our lives!
On Day 3 we have the option of another strenuous hike to view the ‘towers’ close up. I decide it is time to have a day off and just enjoy this beautiful park. I drive out in the truck to drop off the hikers and then enjoy 
the drive back, chatting to Andy (our truck driver) and snapping lots of photos at the stops along the way. When I get back, I spend the day engaging Mark (our cook for this camp) in conversation, walking with Fiona (fellow traveller who opted for the ‘chill day), blogging and catching up on a bit of sleep. It’s been a fabulous experience.
You cannot fully understand your own life without knowing and thinking beyond your life, your own neighbourhood, and even your own nation. ~Johnnetta Cole
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