Planes, Trains, Automobile, (and Buses)

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The adventure continues. So as you might have heard, on our way back from El Quisco, I started to think that it might be a little hard to get to Pucon if we stayed in Isla Negra for the night. The first buses did not leave until 10:00 am. 900 km takes a while on a bus. Plus you must understand that because Chile is “shaped like a string bean” the buses most often travel at night (at least the really comfortable buses). So this looked like a really good plan, get to Santiago at about 9:30 and take the next bus heading south. Now that would mean missing the fireworks in El Quisco, but what the hey, seen one fire work you seen ‘em all, so it was a sacrifice we were willing to make. We were told by Karen and Fernando that New Year’s Eve was a big thing in Chile! But we did not know how big OMG the bus station was closed when the bus arrived!!!!!! PANIC!!!!!! So after some quick thinking, we find a taxi driver to take us to Hotel Foresta (where I have stayed before), and for the small (not) fee of about $30 US for the 15 minute cab ride we get there. All the while I am praying I SURE HOPE THEY HAVE A ROOM!!! They do, and although the wireless does not work with Mac’s, even though we are in the matrimonial room we are in is like the most expensive room they have, in spite of the fact that we are in effect paying for two hotel rooms tonight (we did not check out early enough from La Candela). This sure beats sleeping on the floor of the bus station.

So we get up the next day already to go!! But some sense of foreboding says it would make sense to go to the bus station without our luggage just in case there is another problem—so we take the metro to the bus station (we are getting to know the Santiago Metro quite well). There we find that the buses to Pucon are full today, tomorow and the next day!!!!!! OMG this is really bad news. So thinking that getting south would be a good plan we go to the Train station and buy tickets to Chillan (about 2/3 of the way there) but at least we are moving and in the right direction. 5 hours later we are in Chillan only to find that there is one seat on the bus to Pucon and it is for Wednesday. I must have looked desperate because the lady checks another line for me and finds room for us on a bus that leaves from the other bus terminal on the other side of town. Kathy!!!! We have to go pronto, pronto, pronto--- nice taxi driver speeds across Chillan and we make it!!!! WHEW!!!!!!

So from there a nice ride to Pucon, along the way we get great sunset view of Volcan Llaima, which is really erupting right now!

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Photos

Volcan Lliama
This volcano was erupting about 40 miles to the East as we drove by. It was a one day event, we are told it is no longer erupting.

Kathy's at a Curbside Table
Kathy and Pisco #3

Happy Birthday Kathy
Kathy celebrating her birthday in her favorite though not ever before way-- reading on the beach.

Comments

[Karen Schuder]

Keep Smiling!
Glad you're still smile in the pictures Kathy. Keep on smiling you two and enjoy the adventure - you could be back home in below freezing temps! God bless!