About 14 of us, after leaving the boat, went on a three day extension to Torres del Paine National Park, the crowning point of our trip to Chile. It was about a six hour bus ride with stops to view birds and the scenery. One stop was at the giant Mylodon cave where the remains of a giant sloth were found.
The world famous granite spires and the two-colored "horns" rearing up almost vertically from the Patagonian plain were a stunning site. Our destination was Hosteria Las Torres known for its food and spectacular surroundings.
	For our three days at this park we took trips to see waterfalls, glaciers, and emerald green lakes. One group went horseback riding one morning while the bird watchers were finally able to get close up to a stunning meadowlark.
Other highlights were getting close to horned owls as they snacked on moths outside the doors of our cabin, with Nigel's help viewing the southern cross constellation, viewing swarms of andean condors, and watching a buzzard eagle carry off a hare.