Crossing the Andes

---

A dawn call followed by a taxi trip to the bus station in Bariloche to join the great unwashed backpackers waiting for buses to various destinations ( a photo of a small group is shown here to remind Laura of her travels!)

After a chaotic check in we were assigned a bus to drive to a local port to catch a catamaran to Puerto Blest - a magnificent cruise between the mountains of the Andes (Sud). Our group were offloaded in a National Park to take a short trk to see a 500 year old tree! and waterfalls and a lake! Then to lunch at the Port Hotel which we declined onm the basis of the photographs of their finest plates!

After lunch we boarded an Indiana Jones bus which transported us to another lake over dirt tracks - more magnificent views and to the border post of Argentina. This was a fly ridden shack - stamped out and on to another bus to Chile and Puella ( a border town of 150 souls and two 4 star hotels and nothing else). Well, there was a border post where the officials had to be contacted at their houses nearby to man the station. Baggage searches for fruit and vegetables and chocolate for some reason. They did not seem interested in anything else! WE were scheduled an overnight stop here and we were a bit wary of the hotel built 100 years ago. Luckily for us we were assigned to the brand new one - but as it was the horsefly season we were unable to explore the village after 10.00 am without looking like breakdancers.

The following day another bus to Lake Todos Los Santos - with stupendous views of the Osomo and Calbuco volcanoes. We were knocked out by these sights, but managed to take in the Petrohue River Falls on the way to Puerto Varas on Lake Llanquihue.

---

Photos

Crossing The Andes
This is a shot of some backpackers at Bariloche bus station. Hope it reminds Laura & Tommy of a past life!

Crossing The Andes
Gordon boards the boat at Panuelo Port near Llao Llao for the first of 4 lakes through the Andes

Crossing The Andes
Lindsay in the National Park at Puerto Blest (Los Cantaros cascade)

Crossing The Andes
Lindsay back on board for lake 2

Crossing The Andes
Our boat taking a rest whilw we lunch

Crossing The Andes
First view of Chile after crossing the road border

Crossing The Andes
The view from our hotel in Peulla ' a staging post for the next boat trip

Crossing The Andes
View of Osomo volcano from our boat on Todos Los Santos lake

Comments

[pam]

Coffee and Cake
So glad about the coffee and cake Gordon how would you have managed- was it Dorset apple??

[Gcat]

Coffee & Cakes
You cannot avoid them - to get out of the sun of course!