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Published: April 22nd 2015
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Chiloe Island
Punihuil- Out to see the penguins March 2 - Monday - Chiloe Island - Castro
Looked very threatening today so wrapped our suitcases in shower curtains which we purchased from the supermarket. (Our luggage travels in the back of the open ute.) There was quite a bit of rain as we drove to Puerto Montt, where we caught the ferry to Chiloe Island.
The trip took about half to 3/4 hour. We saw many of seals playing in the water as we crossed. We headed off, driving around a portion of the coast - quite different from the lake edges we had been seeing.
We were watching out for a picnic spot, but found none, so ate lunch from the back of the ute. The countryside was very beautiful. Drove to Punihuil and did a 1/2 hour trip out to view penguins. We were transported out to the boats by trollies, pushed and pulled out by 3-4 men (see photos). We had never seen this before! We saw a sea otter, which put on a performance for us, laying on its back to eat and then swimming to some rocks where it lay and sun baked. Saw two different types of penguins and various
birds.
Drove to Castro to find our accommodation which was in a row of simple houses built jutting out to the sea, called Palafitos. They front (or back, depending on your point of view) onto the road, and back out over the water.
It is a mud flat when the tide is out, and stands in about 3 meters of water when the tide is in.
It was quite comfortable, although we had planned to do our own cooking here, but there was one small saucepan and a very beat up small frying pan. Necessity is the mother of invention they say!! We still managed.
Sheryl and I walked up the street, and had a look in a couple of artisan shops. Some beautiful stuff! A lady offered for me to have a go at weaving which was good for a laugh!
March 3 - Tuesday
The day dawned beautifully clear. Found an entry on fb to say that Vilarrica Volcano had erupted during the night. We checked the internet and got the latest on it. The boys were disappointed that they missed the excitement!
There was a washing machine here,
so we did a load of washing, and discovered that the water runs straight out to the ground under the house! Very different than what we are used to!
Walked up into town and did a walking tour. There are several heritage listed churches on the island. We have discovered they are all much the same, but with varying degrees of finish on the inside.
The one in the town square has the front part of the exterior clad in metal, but the rest is timber. The inside is quite beautiful. We walked to the markets at the waters edge. Had a look around at Artisan products as well as edible produce.
Saw another section of Palafitos. As it is in most of Chili, the buildings are sometimes very brightly coloured, and others not painted at all, and very weathered. As everywhere in Chili, there are many dogs roaming the streets.
We came back for lunch so that we could see our row of buildings with the tide in. Looks much nicer.
In the afternoon we took a drive out to Rilan. Another Heritage listed church - this one had been completely refurbished - well,
Chiloe Island
Hungry birds! pretty much rebuilt, due to dry rot. It was very neat, though less lavish inside. The countryside was beautiful - undulating with lots of green, but also dry paddocks.
Saw small farms, and little cottages in various states of repair - some beautifully kept but many with quite a neglected appearance. Seems the thing to hang the washing on the fence!
March 4 - Wednesday
Another beautiful day. We are so blessed with the weather! Took a drive out to Parque National Park. Drove beside a huge and beautiful lake, Lago Cucao, and then to the ocean. We picked up a hitch hiker, and took him to the beach.
We decided to go back and found the entrance to the park where we got information to do some walks. Walked to El Tepual, which is an area of Tepual trees, red trunks, but have moss and other plants growing off them.
They are also quite twisted. The area is usually wet and humid, so we were walking in a type of rain forest, though different to the rain forest we are used to. We then crossed the road and walked toward the beach, through
different vegetation again. There was a museum there, and we found that Charles Darwin had spent some time in this region of Chili.
We found it all very different and interesting. Called into a little town called Chonchi on the way back. Another Heritage church, and this one much rougher on the inside, but the same layout. Another seaside town.
Walked a few doors up to a lovely little cafe for our final meal on Chiloe Island. Very pleasant spot sitting by the window. Also nice food.
Chiloe is a beautiful place, but we felt like we had stepped back in time.
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