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Published: December 29th 2013
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Border
Views from near the border Sunday 8
th December (Odyssey Day 30)
We headed out for yet another border crossing this morning. We had fresh watermelon for breakfast, a really nice change, and the guy from the camp brought us fresh walnuts as well. It was interesting to see Ellie try to crack one open before Maddie told her she needed to have two in her hand to manage it. I think she might have been there for quite a while otherwise...
We crossed the border with ease here. We still needed to unload everything to get it scanned, but they were much better organised at this crossing than any previous one and it was accomplished with relative ease.
Having crossed into Chile again, we made a quick stop at a shop to buy some food before making a lunch stop. The tomatoes and cucumbers are huge here!
The lunch stop was just before Pucon and quite a lovely area. We could see the volcano from there. We did get a lot of dogs hanging around after food though.
Pucon
A beautiful lunch stop It’s something we often have to put up with at the campsites, bit not generally at the lunch stops. A couple of people on the trip sometimes feed the strays (both cats and dogs) which is really annoying because then you just can’t get rid of them. The ones that are pets of the camp are generally okay, but some of them are rather feral looking.
We arrived in Pucon an hour or so after lunch, and the town looks interesting. Smallish and on the shores of a large lake, it is apparently the ‘Adventure Capital of Chile’ and looks pretty touristy. I guess we will see, as we are here for three nights.
After setting up camp (at the campsite which is only a leisurely 10 minute walk to the centre of town), we headed in to one of the activity offices in town to organise those who wanted to climb Villaricca, Chile's 'most active volcano'. I didn’t think I’d make it up as they say it is about 4 hours walking uphill, but I did want to do some white water rafting while we
Pucon
The lookout by camp are here.
Monday 9
th December (Odyssey Day 31)
This morning, most of the group went off early to climb Villaricca. I slept in a bit, used the internet, did some artwork on the rather dusty truck whilst my computer charged, and then walked in to town.
I spent some time today wandering around town doing window shopping (the most my rather full backpack would permit) and visited the markets before settling in a café for a few beers and internet. Unfortunately there was a little mix up about the time cook group 2 (my group) was to arrive for dinner, and in the end we were all late. So that means we will be on tomorrow as well – and you can be sure we all double and triple checked what time we were to arrive this time!!
To make up for it though, the bar (run by Maddie) made some delicious cocktails to cheer everyone up.
Pucon
Truck art Tuesday 10
th December (Odyssey Day 32)
We had a free day in Pucon today, which was spent doing various activities. Hannah, Anne, Triona, Steve and I went white water rafting on the Rio Trancura. We drove for about an hour to the river and were provided with very attractive full wet suits and life jackets…
It was a lot of fun going down the river, and the water was lovely. The rapids were not very high grade (3 and 4) but the area was beautiful. Everyone managed to stay in the raft though it was a close thing for me at one point. We were rather hungry when we got back though and enjoyed lunch in town.
Heading back to camp, I spent the afternoon cleaning the truck, avoiding the sun and making sure I was on time for dinner today!
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