Saturday, 22 February 2014

Day 3 in El Calafate – The Glaciarium and Ice-Bar

18th February –  The Glaciarium and Ice-Bar



Today the weather is bright and sunny but the temperature has dropped  and the wind has also picked up dramatically.  The sunshine really transforms the landscape.  The lake is the most beautiful aqua marine colour and the wind is creating some interesting wave patterns on its shimmering surface.

After breakfast the ‘accompanying persons’ were taken for a tour to the Glaciarium Museum and Glacio-Bar.  The Glaciarium is a very modern museum with interactive displays and films about how glaciers scour the landscape and create so many spectacular features.  I particularly enjoyed the short film about Perito Moreno the famous Argentinean scientist and philanthropist after whom the glacier we visited was named.   We also watched another film in 3D (really good) which showed other famous glaciers and ice sheets and the weird and wonderful features they can create.

The best bit, however, was the visit to the Glacio-Bar.  We went downstairs below the museum and were given strange silver hooded ponchos and gloves to keep us warm.  We weren’t sure what to expect but I think this was definitely one of the strangest experiences I have ever had.  Everything in the bar was made of ice of course, including the glasses which actually made drinking our drinks quite difficult (especially with large mitts on!).  But what made it feel really strange was the flashing disco lights and club music blaring out in the background – all at 11 a.m. in the morning!


















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