Blogs from Puerto Varas, Los Lagos, Chile, South America - page 2

Jan 9th– We started today around 9. Our guide came to the hotel and told us to not wear black as it attracts the large flies they have in the National Park for 2 weeks each year. So, you know Shelly (all in black) so she changed. We had a private van and driver and guide. The guide was from Alaska (born) and New Jersey(grew up) but moved to Chile about 40 years ago. He spoke great English. It was like a history lesson the entire day with facts and interesting items. We first stopped at the green lake and did about an hour hike. It was cool and had some great views. Then we looked at the volcano, but it was still in the clouds somewhat so we chose to go visit the waterfalls. This ... read more

I'd first passed through Puerto Varas with my German friends Sabine and Tobias, roommates on our scenic, harrowing Navimag Ferry ride up from southern Patagonia, and also in nearby, big city Puerto Montt. We'd hoped to see the five volcanoes that stand guard over Lake Llanquihue, but saw only clouds. Sabine and Tobias had to leave after a couple of days, but I decided to wait it out--we slow travelers can wait for a sunny day for volcano viewing. After a week, the sun came out, and I hopped on one of the frequent minibuses to Puerto Varas. I immediately walked to the waterfront and was awe-struck by the perfect cone of Volcano Osorno hovering over the lake. It was so worth the wait! For an hour or two, I wandered the lake shore, taking scads ... read more

Today has been a day of rest for me. As the weatherman predicted it was raining and blowing hard this morning, so I was glad I had not planned any excursions. I was happy to sleep in and eat a leisurely breakfast in the hotel. Over the course of the morning I read on my iPad. I washed out a few items of clothing. I rearranged my suitcase. This afternoon the weather cleared, at least a little, and I went for a walk along the lakeside. Tonight I will go back to my favorite restaurant and see what else I can try. Yesterday evening I ordered the special sandwich (named after the restaurant itself) and it had everything in it but the kitchen sink - three slices of bread, ham, chicken, cheese, avocado, green beans, lettuce, ... read more

Today I spent all day on an organized scenic tour up into the Andes. This tour consisted of close to fifty people and so was considerably larger than the three-person tour I took in Mexico! We drove from Puerto Varas along the south shore of Lake Llanquihue (the one in front of my hotel), past Volcan Osorno (the snow-capped peak directly across the lake from my hotel), and on to Lago Todos los Santos. The Lake of All Saints is better know as "emerald lake" because of its natural green color. (See photo) We boarded a boat that travels the length of the lake and passes through spectacular scenery with volcanic peaks and steep Andean hills wherever you look. (See photo) The end of the line is the tiny town of Puella where there is one ... read more

We arrived in Puerto Varas after our 4 day stint on the Navimag exhausted from doing nothing. We had to spend the first day doing absolutely nothing. This is a lovely small town on lake llanquihue opposite Volcan Osorno in the chilean lake district, a very pituresque area. We hired bikes on our second day and cycled 64km to a nearby lakeside town called Frutilla. We found a lovely cafe and shared one of the bigest slices of cake you have ever seen, although it is easy to justify such things when you are cycling! The bike ride was wonderful, one we needed the exercise it felt great to be doing something again, and two the ride itself was fabulous. We followed the lake through undulating scenery passed small, pretty farms all with a view of ... read more