Huilo Huilo

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Feb 23 - Monday- HUILO-HUILO - Patagonia Mawida.

Packed up and headed to next destination. Passed some huge and beautiful lakes - stopped for photographs of volcano etc. First views of Choshuenco Volcano. Not quite as spectacular as Villarrica. Inactive. Lots of dirt again which spoils things. Drove to accommodation but not ready so went to Puerto Fuy for drive and found spot to have lunch on logs by river. Back to very rustic timber cabin for accommodation. Puorto Fuy is the little port which ferries people and vehicles across to Argentina. Has a population of 1,000.

Very clean - everything timber. Had a relaxed afternoon in these beautiful and peaceful surroundings beside river, though it was mostly dry. Walked to restaurant next door for tea where the gentleman tried to talk to us in English - no-one else could speak English. He explained that this area is the "heart" of Chile - men here in times past very much dominated. These days women are able to work and have more control and say over their affairs. Everything here was based on the timber trade. He is an Ecologist, born in Santiago but lives part of the year in Bolivia, (city in Chili, rather than the country) and the other part here, running this business of cabins and restaurant. The beams in the restaurant are from a bridge in the area - everything in the building was timber, as also in the cabins. Very friendly and interesting. No internet.

Feb 24 - Tuesday - HUILO-HUILO

Museum Sculpture Park In H H Biological Reserve - very different than expected - went to enclosures of wild pigs (Jabali) and deer (ciervos), lamas, museum of history of Chilian civilisation - artifacts etc. supposedly best collection in the world.

Walked through canopy village - very interesting cabins - mostly timber. Home for lunch.

Went to entrance to National Park Huilo-Huilo. Only one English Speaking person there and he accompanied us up the Choshuenco Volcano through beautiful forests and then into open grassland. Stopped at lookout.

Amazing views all round - to Villarrica Volcano. Guide took us further on than they usually take people - right up past the grass line - 4wd only - bit of an adventure. Pumas in area.

Went back and looked at a couple of motels with very different architecture, and took photos. Home for tea - ate out on balcony - so peaceful and beautiful.

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Photos

Huilo Huilo
Approaching Choshuenco Volcano.

Huilo Huilo
Our rustic cabin.

Huilo Huilo
Interior of our cabin showing all the timber.

Huilo Huilo
Interesting wood work in our cabin.

Huilo Huilo
Across the paddock for dinner.

Huilo Huilo
Furniture at restaurant.

Huilo Huilo
Table top.

Huilo Huilo
Beam at the restaurant that come from an old local bridge

Huilo Huilo
Bar at restaurant.

Huilo Huilo
Chairs at restaurant.

Huilo Huilo
The dish on the right is a traditional Chili Salad, tomatoes on a pile of onion which has been sliced and maybe parboiled???? or lightly brazed??

Huilo Huilo
Love Cake

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Tables and chairs at restaurant.

Huilo Huilo
Path from restaurant back to our cabin showing the dust that was lingering from the road.

Huilo Huilo
Another shot of walking back and the dust that was just sitting in the atmosphere. Depended which way the wind was blowing as to how dusty it was where we were.

Huilo Huilo
At the entrance to the "Museo".

Huilo Huilo
Museum of the indigenous people of the area.

Huilo Huilo
One of the many totems outside.

Huilo Huilo
Under construction, but notice the roots still on the beams that support the roof!

Huilo Huilo
Close up of decoration on the side of the building.

Huilo Huilo
At the entrance of one of the enclosures.