Torres del Paine, Chile

Today, I did a very brave thing.  I boarded the world's tiniest prop plane, and flew for 45 terrifying, bouncy, juddering minutes from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales, then we boarded a bus and drove to the amazing Torres del Paine National Park in Chile's Patagonia region.  We couldn't get enough of these beautiful mountains, with their stunning waterfalls, ice fields, glaciers, and lakes.  The weather was absolutely perfect, with clear blue skies and much appreciated sunshine after two previous days of unremitting gray, fog, rain, and gloom.  We were also fortunate enough to see quite a bit of wildlife while we were there -- soaring condors, karakaras, grey foxes, guanacos, rheas, flamingos, and even a baby skunk!  Then it was time to clamber aboard the minuscule aircraft once again for an even bumpier flight back to Punta Arenas.  Even though I was petrified the whole time I was aloft, it was definitely worth it for the opportunity to visit this incredible place.

Extra photo shows the tiny plane -- it's the very tiny one behind the small one!