My arrival in Valdivia began with another potential accommodation issue. My check in at the hostel was vague. It took a while for someone to answer the door and the guy did not seem to know what he was doing when checking me in. I was not given a key to my room. It was not a confident start to my stay but, hey, it was only one night. I learnt later when returning to the hotel later on that the guy only started the job that day hence the vagueness was explained. The owner, Lio, reissued another invoice as the [View Full Entry]

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I felt sad during my stay in Barlioche. I saw these St Bernards dogs being presented for photo taking with tourists. No personal photos were allowed even when Alison insisted that she only wanted a photo of a dog and not with a dog! They did not listen to her plea nor were really interested. From mine, Alison´s and others´experiences, we were not encouraged to befriend the dogs without paying a price and the owners watched us like hawks. I am afraid this is something I feel uncomfortable with as I am a big dogs and cats lover. As this is [View Full Entry]

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I had a very early start for my return to Chile. We set off at 7.30am from Barlioche. I had visions of sleeping in and missing my bus but turned out to be no problems at all. I thought I had the aisle seat to myself but it was not to be as an Argentine chap came and sat in the seat so I did not have that privelege. We had a wonderful ride through Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi via Villa La Angostura and part of the Seven Lakes route. The scenery was stunning with the lakes and mountains. We eventually [View Full Entry]

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A Room with a view I struggled with sleep on my first night here and have done so since the beginning of my trip. I reckon, on this occasion, it must have been the wind from the lake. So when I opened my curtains on the first morning in my room, I was greeted with a wonderful lake view with an amazing moutain backdrop! Naturally, I took tons of photos and came to a conclusion that I would never get a better view like this elsewhere especially paying 20 GBP per night for the room. Even the sunset in the evenings [View Full Entry]

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After crossing the border into Argentina and Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi, we reached Lago Frias. Whilst we had our passports stamped, we used the bathroom facilities and had an opportunity to sample the famous chocolate caliente. I never tasted such yummy hot chocolate and look forward to more of it once I am in Barlioche. We took our second lake crossing from Puerto Frias to Puerto Blest. At Puerto Blest, we had an hour stopover where some took a walk to the Cascada Los Cantaros whilst others including myself just wanted to relax in the restaurant drinking coffee. I took the [View Full Entry]

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Since watching a travel programme on TV about two years ago, I always wanted to do the Lakes Crossing from Puerto Varas to Barlioche. It is a very expensive way getting from Chile to Argentina but felt it is worth doing the tour for the experience. I remember the night before, I was concerned about sleeping in and not getting up on time, I need not to have worried as it turned out I got up earlier than scheduled. After breakfast, I checked myself out of the guest house and dragged myself and my luggage to where I met the tour [View Full Entry]

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After a very long overnight sleepless bus journey from Santiago, I arrived in Puerto Varas. At least the journey was very comfortable. I am amazed with the cama seats and the amount of space available. I may not have slept well but I was comfortable and did not feel cramped - a contrast to being on a plane! It was a bit of a walk to the guest house from the terminus but worth it for the welcome I received. Mauricio and co gave me a warm welcome and nothing seemed to be a problem. My room was not ready but [View Full Entry]

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During my stay in Puerto Varas, I joined a tour one late afternoon for a tour of Volcan Osorno and its environs. It was a wonderful opportunity considering the perfect weather with no cloud in the sky to see the volcano clearly. I got picked up at the guest house and after picking other passengers, we drove along the eastern shore of Lago Llanquihue stopping once to take photos of Volcan Osorno in the distance. After going through Ensenada, we entered in Parque Nacionale Vicentre Perez Rosales where we ascended to the volcano's base. There was an opportunity to go up [View Full Entry]

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I decided only to devote one day in Santiago. I spent a month there last year learning Spanish. I am satisfied of what I had already seen there on that trip. This time, Santiago would only be used as a base at the very beginning and the very end of my trip. It is likely I will be going through the bus terminal to changes buses for elsewhere during the trip. Cerro San Cristobel I began the day exploring the park. Last year, I rode up on the funicular and saw the Virgen de lmmaculada. This time, I wanted a ride [View Full Entry]

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My flight to Santiago via Paris was pretty uneventful and, of course, long!! 13 hours+!!! Met a friendly chap on my Manchester to Paris flight who was going to Argentina (his wife is Argentine). We exchanged travel plans and he gave me some trips travelling through Argentina. He also correct my pronunciations such as BARI-LO-CHE. There were also a large group of rugby players who were touring in Santiago and Vina Del Mar. On my way to the hotel, I purchased my ticket for Puerto Varas. For a cama seat, it works out only 25 GBP! Those prices, I will not [View Full Entry]

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