Paul and Anne Chernett

Daniel and Jicelyn plan to move to theis seaside village. It is much quieter (and cheaper) than the relatively posh resort of Renaca where they live now. It has very pretty beaches and lots of wild life, including large pelican colonies and sea otters. The best thing about the place was the seafood market. We had the best scallops I've ever tasted, raw, straight off the market, with just lemon juice. They were about 20p each! - yummie.... read more

After a terrifying 10km drive up a rough, dusty dirt road we reached the park entrance. Now I know what 4x4 are for. Unfortunately we only had a Toyota Yaris. We then trekked high into the Huerquehue National Park. Then we climbed 1000m through virgin forest (bamboo, a type of beech tree and a conifer I didn't recognise at all. The trees were gigantic. The wildlife is compltetely different to Europe, including snakes, humming birds, bright emerald green lizards, and a tarantula, the last to of which which Dan managed to photograph. At the top of the trail which we reached late, with the sun getting low, was a set of "hanging lakes" formed by glaciers "hesitating" on their way down, forming a dam. Right at the top of the forest still above were some of ... read more

We had a nice small group of 5 with two guides. We had to start at 7:00 AM and had to reach the top by about midday because the heat of the day melts the ice near the top which releases boulders and stones making it very dangerous. We were given all the kit to carry - helmets, ice axes, boots, gaiters, crampons, hats, gloves, sunglasses, waterproof trousers and a bum protector. More about the last later. In a addition we had to bring food and at least 1.5 liters of water, and a spare jumper. This lot was very heavy! The weather was extremely hot and cloudless - the area was having the worst drought in 50 years, causing the glacier on top of the volcano to shrink, causing crevasses to appear and loose stones ... read more

Before heading off on tour we had an intersting day with Jocelyn's family in her home town. We picked up the hire car and had some fun trying to figure out traffic priorities and one-way steets in the towns. The system is rather like in the US where streets are in a grid system with every other street one way with a main street that is two-way. Parking is also fun - there are guys that run around wildly gesticulating and guiding you into parking spaces. When you leave they pounce on you and charge the parking fee (usually about 20p!). The order of the day is * barbeque huge chunks of filet steak * eat it * have a swim * have a sleep * go back to step 1 Heading south tomorrow... read more

Arrived safely on Monday 11th. Met Jocelyn's parents and put some of the Spanish we learned to good use. Worked out that he has a Jewellery distribution business. Dan and Jocelyn live in Reñaca the posh end of Viña de Mar, a pleasant seaside resort. Its now mid-summer high season so its very busy. Its more Brighton than Clacton. Dan and Jocelyn's flat is high on a hill with a large flight of steps down to the beach and the shops. However the view compensates. Swimming in the sea is not allowed as the tides are dangerous. The water is very cold anyway due to the Humboldt current. Just as well the apartment block has a beautiful pool.... read more