Blogs from O Higgins, Chile, South America - page 3

We arrived in the little town of Santa Cruz after a fairly short bus ride from Santiago and immediately got to looking for accommodation. Our tactic was for the girls to hang out in the palm treed plaza whilst I wandered around the town looking for somewhere for us to stay. Looking back at my plan, it seems I may have given myself a bum deal! Luckily for us, there was an information point in the middle of the plaza and so I went over to see if they had any recommendations. Fortunately, the elderly lady at the information point had the perfect place for us to stay and set about making the arrangements on the phone for me to go see this ‘hotel’. I was guided to the accommodation in Spanish and immediately thought I ... read more

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

So we set off aiming for Pichilemu, a coastal town a few hours south of Santiago, which is famed for holding the world surfing championships. The first trip to Villaricea and then to the next town was relatively esy. We then got off at the bus company's coach depot and found out that we neede to be on the other side of town for the buses going in the direction we wanted. After some garbled directions we eventually got a 'collectivo taxi' which reminded me of the ones in Ghana, more due to the concept as opposed to a reflection on how it was driven or the upholstery in the back. We arrived at the main coach station and made some enquiries. We boarded the late 1pm bus and were told that this would drop us ... read more

Pichilemu: mar, cielo y rock n´roll... read more

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