Free day – Laguna Nimez. Flamingoes, Glaciarium, ice bar, flamingoes and food – 8 April

A slow and easy start.

We had decided to walk into the Laguna Nimez along the lake but time spent over breaky changed plans. We caught the free taxi in a little after 10am.

Paid to enter the Laguna Nimez, basically a reserve for birdlife and flora where we hoped to get a good look and some photos of the flamingoes. It was blowing a fair gale so while we could see a lot of birds they were tucked up against the wind. Not letting that stop us we wandered around for a good couple of hours and did our best to get some pics.

Once done we took a walk back to town where we once again needed to run the gauntlet of ATMs to get some cash. On the way we stopped at NP headquarters for a play with one of Max’s photo tips.

As I think I’ve explained we have a card we are using for joint kitty wherever possible, but often tips and other odd things are cash only, so our cash only kitty was running low. It’s Easter Saturday and the first ATM’s we tried were not cooperating. So we called it quits and went for Hot Chocolate and toasted ham and cheese before giving it another whirl at a different bank.

A local was unable to get cash and told us it was low. We tried our luck for our 10 or 15 thousand peso withdrawals and had success. They hit us with ATM fee of 10-15 bucks.

Then it was off to the shuttle bus to the Glaciarium – a museum dedicated to Glaciars with the bonus of an Ice Bar called the Glaciobar. We missed the 2pm shuttle by 15 mins so went our separate ways in town to kill time. I visited the Los Glaciares NP headquarters and gardens and had a good look around.

The shuttle was almost full at 3pm but we were on.

At the Glaciarium (a couple of kms out of town) we opted for the Museo/Glaciobar combo. Our bar time was 4.30 so we had time to look around, view the 10 minute cinema film on the Perito Moreno Glaciar and out for our bar experience.

They had told us it was between minus 11 and 15 degrees, so we donned our coats, beanies, neck buffs and gloves and nearly cooked while we waited. Downstairs we were then provided an insulated poncho and mittens and advised we have 20 minutes and not one but TWO complimentary drinks.

Man it was cold. Basically it was a large freezer with a bar, an igloo, an ice throne (Game of Thrones reference Steve tells us). It was a bit of fun, our first drink a G&T in “glasses” made of ice – a Calafate gin which went down well. Then for our second we opted for a dark chocolate licor- which came in ice shot glasses – we’d hardly started these and the twenty minutes was up. All good.

Outside again to get the shuttle – only space for three so the boys went to town for a beer. Mary and I shared a nice piece of berry crumble pie and a submarino (hot choc) for Mary and a Coke Zero for me.

Not sure I’ve explained the rekindling of our love of the submarino. Mary and I found it in Ushuaia back in 2010. Hot chocolate is a cup of hot milk into which we stir a “stick or submarine” of chocolate. The chocolate disappears and disintegrates really quickly and is delicious. Mary tried last time to get the submarino chocolate to take home but we didn’t and still haven’t found them for sale.

We met the fellas at Mako Premium bar to see if they wanted to walk back to the Lake/Laguna area to see the flamingoes in hopefully less wind. We had seen them just at the Lakes edge on the way to Glaciarium. Mary and I hotfooted it out of town to the lake and despite the dwindling light managed to snap a few shots and some in flight which will hopefully be ok. We ended up close to El Calafate sign so walked to get some obligatory pics. Then the lights came on, so we backtracked to capture that too.

Then walked back into the Main Street to find the fellas hadn’t moved (not sure just how many beers were consumed) and were quite happy.

We then went on the hunt for a good BBQ/Parilla place for tea. The first one was full. The second looked unlikely, but we were asked to wait 10 minutes and the waiter worked his magic for a table. Merino is the name of the restaurant-highly recommended.

Steve, Phil and I opted for the lamb and Mary a tenderloin steak. We shared sides of puréed potatoes, sweet potato fries and green salad (lettuce and avocado). All delicious and huge quantities of meet. Two loin chops and a forequarter chop – they have BIG sheep here. It was delicious and filling and disappointingly we didn’t/couldn’t make it to dessert- as they looked tantalisingly good too.

We were too late for the 10pm free taxi, so hailed our own at the taxi rank and returned home to pack for our 9.45 pick and departure for Iguazu Falls via Buenos Aires.

Did a small wash of the favourite socks which I’d forgotten to wash in the shower. The prices and time frames for laundry in the hotels are a bit steep. We did put a load into the hotel here and have to wait almost two days to get it back.

After midnight to sleep.