At 60, heading to Antarctica starts with a secret exploration in Chile

After finally fulfilling our wish to visit Argentina's Perito Moreno Glacier Park, we returned to the town of El Calafate in the afternoon to continue our journey to Antarctica. In the evening, we took a 6-hour bus ride to Puerto Natales, Chile, heading to the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park 🇨🇱 Torres del Paine National Park is known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and is also one of National Geographic's "50 Places to See Before You Die." Blue peaks, emerald lakes, snow-capped glaciers and meadows, forests, waterfalls, and streams create breathtaking and soul-stirring scenery. Here, you can feel a stunning solitude that calms restlessness and clears the mind. Personally, I think this place can be compared to the United States' Yellowstone National Park or Canada's Banff National Park. Although their landscapes differ and their sizes vary greatly, all leave visitors awestruck, marveling at nature's craftsmanship. Torres del Paine is also a paradise for hiking enthusiasts, with the "W Circuit" and "O Circuit" often talked about fondly by adventurers. We had originally signed up for a 23-kilometer one-day short hike, but due to bad weather in El Calafate, Argentina, we had to switch to self-driving. A one-day self-drive itinerary was just right, and we were able to see most of the sights. Fortunately, we had an all-around capable driver sister who drove for seven to eight hours that day, making it very relaxing for us. We enjoyed watching the scenery from the car and stopping to take photos, which was quite pleasant 😌 We kept hearing that the severe weather a couple of days earlier had tragically caused several hikers to lose their lives, leading the park to suspend long-distance hiking trails. Thinking about it now gives me chills. Although I regret not hiking, it reminds me how small and fragile we are in the face of nature, and how we must respect and adapt to it. The park’s most famous three granite peaks, the "Torres" (Towers), soar like spires into the sky. Some people endure hardships to hike and see them up close, while others may unexpectedly encounter them around a corner. Different paths offer different views, but no matter how you see the Torres, the shock and emotion of their majestic presence are equally real and precious.