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Published: November 28th 2007
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Lago Caburgua
The long cycle ride was rewarded with fantastic views over the lake. Wed. 28th Nov·
Monday was a travelling day; an early start to the coach station for 8.30 for the long journey into Chile. The border crossings took time. However the mountain scenery of the Andes en route was stunning. As we were travelling I could see the snow by the roadside, though we had not long come from spring time temperatures. The transformation when we crossed into Chile was dramatic, the landscape changed from scrubland to lush and verdent grassland; there was also a lot of evidence of a better economy: more luxurious houses and newer cars on the roads. Apart from the border corssings we had only one stop before reaching Osorno. I took advantge of that stop to use the services there, however I had to pay to use them; they would not accept Aregntinian pesos, and I had no Chilean currency . After some discussion they let me use them for free, but in the process 'almost missed the coach, which was just moving off as I came out.
At Osrono I changed coaches, as the one I was in wasn't going any further. Space was very cramped on
Villarrica Volcano
Nearby Pucon is this active volcano. I couldn¨t see it when we arrived beacuse of the clouds but Tuesday was a beautiful day and the views of it were wonderful. this second coach. The coach was packed and I was seated by the window next to an oversized Chilean lady who was very pleasant but took up some of my seat as well and had difficulty in getting in and out of her seat. She eventually got off the coach at some small little village but her seat was promptly taken by another lady who got on carrying a large piano keyboard and stand. She explaned that she had bought it for her son. It did however take up a lot of room and didn't improve my need for space.
We rolled into Pucon at 7.30pm where I was pleased to get off and stretch my cramped legs. Got a taxi to my accomnodation, which was run by a young German - the building was a log cabin style in a beautiful setting on the outsirts of the town with a garden and the mountains as backdrop. 'Settled in and took a walk into town as I needed some exercise. I booked an overnight trip to Santiago for Wednesday, had a meal in one of the local restaurants amd tried a Pisco Sour [typical Chilean cocktail made with a
Villarrica Volcano
A closer shot of the volcano; a stunning sight. Some people from the hostel climbed up to the crater yesterday, but it was a 6 hour plus hike/climb each way. white grape brandy, lemon, sugar and the white of an egg] - tasty but strong. The manager expained how it was made and brought out the bottle of Picsco for me to try on it's own. It made a good nightcap!
Yesterday, after a light breakfast ('had my first cup of tea since arriving in SA), I hired a bike and headed towards the mountains and Lake Caburgua. It was a beautiful day, clear skies and temperatures about 25C. The distance to the lake was longer than I thought and it didn't help when I diverted a few times down some side tracks to see waterfalls and visit view points. I also had to stop a few times because of the steep hills. When I reached the lake it was mid afernoon, but it was well worth it - to see such a large lake so high up in the mountains was magnificent. The surface was like a mirror and though there were many people swimming, canoeing and boating there was a lovely calmness abut the place. I had a small picnic lunch with me which I had, but still felt a little peckish so went to the only restaurant around to see what they had. Everyone was eating either hamburgers or hotdogs, I just had a coffee. My bike ride back took less than half the time getting there - nearly all downhill. I checked the map and found that the journey to the lake was 25Km so I had done over 50Km - no wonder I was tired! 'Hap a nap before going out at 8.00pm on an excursion to the hot springs. It was an hour's drive away mostly over unmade roads. When we got there it was dark and there was a long climb down to the series of hot spring pools. There were seven in all, each one hotter than the previous one. Even though the air temperature had dropped considerably, it was like being in a hot bath with the stars for a ceiling - it was just what I needed after my energetic day. We didn't get back to the hostel until after midnight.
Today is going to be an 'easy' one with some preparation for the overnight trip to Santiago. The coach leaves at 9.30pm and arrives in Santiago at 7.30 tomorrow morning.
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