Blogs from O Higgins, Chile, South America
The Road Santa Cruz, Chile, NOT Santa Cruz California.
Published: March 25th 2012South America » Chile » O Higgins » Santa Cruz
March 23rd 2012
But first: written on the side of a local church: If you want to use the toilet follow the path, and then down the steps. Saw a begger with elephantitis today. First time I have ever witnessed that desease so close. Put all my bullshit into perspective. Gave him my change, which is very unlike me. Egyptian kama perhaps? So, have decided to spend the weekend in Santa Cruz. Have packed lightly and left passport at the house. My Spanish is coming along nicely thanks to Andy, but also his mum Victoria, who is very patient as I struggle along tripping over my tongue as I try to communicate with her. A most wonderful woman who runs the home and clearly has her hand gently on the tiller to support her husband Ivor and her children. ... read more
February 11th 2012
Puerto Montt is basically the gateway to Patagonia, the beautiful and rugged wilderness lands of Chile. We arrived in port on a cool and rainy Sunday and went with Les and Inge in their private van for a drive into the Lake District. The symmetrical Osorno Volcano was hidden under a layer of storm clouds. We took a hike in a rain forest next to a raging river. We happened upon a handicraft market in the resort town of Puerto Varas where locals were proudly displaying their homemade products. Everything from honey to wine and all things knit. Laguna San Rafael was a very pleasant stop. A modern and comfortable catamaran came right alongside our ship and we went on a three hour ride to the glacier. We've been learning all about these wonders of nature. ... read more
September 1st 2011
The next chapter of our journey starts in Pucon right in the heart of Southern Chile. It's a very touristic town at the lake Villarica and close to a Vulcano, also called Villarica! The view is really impressive and also staying in tourist trap has its benefits, as there are European style supermarkets, nice restaurants and English speaking people. A visit to the famous Huerquehue National Park was also dedicated to our motto "mucho, mucho nieve"! This time though we didn't get stuck with the car on the way up. We aslo did a guided tour to some vulcano caves which was hm...yeah when you grew up in Austria you have seen more breathtaking caves, but the fact the they were vulcanic still made it worth it. All in all we had some quite relaxed days ... read more
January 26th 2011
Day 8 All aboard the bus.. early rise in Valparasio to catch the 6.30 bus back to Santiago to meet up with the Pacamama tour for 9am which we will be with for the next 2 days. Ivan who is from Villarrica will be our guide along with Daniel the driver, we are also joined by 3 Aussies (Ryan, Lisa, Ali) 2 Germans (Lars, Claudia) and 1 Irish (Lisa). First stop is the tiny town of Pomaire to allow us the chance to see a true traditional Chilean town where they sell lots of pots! Would be great to purchase but too heavy for our already overladen rucksacks. Then onto Pichilemu, which is a small, sleepy surf town. We arrive at our multi-coloured hostel (Hostel Bahia)and head out to the beach to kick back on the ... read more
January 7th 2011
Isla Negra - Aus Faszination an Neruda besuchen wir auch sein "Sommerhaus" an der "Schwarzen Insel" (die genau genommen gar keine Insel ist). Ein beliebtes Ziel für Tagesausflüge, sieht es doch recht selten 3 Europeas 3 Nächte lang am Strand campen. Wir kamen bereits nach Dämmerung an und entschieden uns kurzerhand, unser seit Langem mitgeschlepptes Zelt am Strand aufzustellen. Gott sei Dank kamen die Wellen, die das Erdbeben am Sonntag, dessen Epizentrum in Temuco lag, verursachte, nicht zu uns heran. Sonst wären wir nun etwas näher an Rapa Nui.... Am Abend gingen wir in die einzige Dorfkneipe, wo wir das Nationalgetränk Pisco Sour in allen erdenklichen Varianten probierten (nur, um die in die Knochen kriechende Kälte zu vertreiben, versteht sich!) und trafen dort auf die Dorfjugend! Carmenluz Zickendraht (ja, so heißt das Mädel wirklich!) und ihre ... read more
February 4th 2010
It’s the end of the road for us! All good things come to an end or so we thought but the Carretera Austral had one last thing to throw at us. The road divides near the bottom of Chile and we had to decide where we stayed, the community of O Higgins or the remote outpost in the Chilean Fjords of Tortel . Both places were the end of the road. We chose Tortel. Not sure how to paint a picture of this place..... It rains 330 days a year, with mists, mountains all around and a car park at the top of a cliff as there are no roads down or in Tortel. The dwellings hang from the sides of the steep sides and access is from wooden walkways, there are 7 km of these ... read more
February 1st 2010
Hola All We are now as far South as the road goes in South Amerca and Chile and communications are realy shocking, not only with the internet but our language with the few locals we meet. Simon is convinced if he talks slowly with a O on the end of everything they understand..... OH NO . It just gives me the giggles, all made worse by everyones confused expression. So we have got ourseves in a few tricky situations, like they all think we are gay. Simon trying to say we are not homosexuolo and want Doso bedyoosos just leaves me crying with laughter which only confuses the localas even more. Then he does it all over again in half speed convinced facial and hand expressions will claify any confusion!!! Typing from a bar computer made ... read more
January 14th 2010
After a night out and BA a 50 hour bus was in order all the way down to the bottom of Chile. Target: Patagonia.... Specifically Torres Del Paine National Park. Upon arriving in Puerto Natales, Chile we really had no idea what we were in for. Two main treks are available in the National Park. The "W," which is a 3-5 day trek that hits two of the valleys and a glimpse of the massive glacier. And the "Circuit," a 9 day trek going all of the W and around the back through a Pass. After some discussion we opted to do the Circuit trek, but do it in super-speed and try to finish in 5 or 6 days. Our bodies paid the price.... Very sore. BUT.... We did it in 6. Ha. Take that Chile... ... read more
January 11th 2010
So yet another week has flown by down here in Chile. I am still very much enjoying the weather, the sun always shines here. I have continued to make new friends and check out the city. With a four hour language class every morning and a 3 hour MBA class 3 evenings a week, I am very glad I chose to drop my other MBA class. This last week was pretty exhausting, but I really learned a lot! My Spanish is improving quickly, I am getting around just fine now with the language. I absolutely love my Negotiations class through the MBA program. My professor is from South Africa and seems very knowledgeable and is quite entertaining, making our 3 hour classes go by quickly. I also enjoy the fact that for the exchange students this ... read more
