Puerto Varas, Chile

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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 the lake and volcano, they really were small, even by Jersey standards they would have been classed as small holdings. All the fields were portioned off similar to Jersey sized fields and the grass was green as ever you´ve seen it. Cycling along wasn´t just a visual experience the smells of the hedgerow were wonderful, corriander, fennel, eucalyptus and wood smoke from peoples bon fires and wood burners. All the hedgerows had the autum treats that we would expect back home too, sweet chestnut and blackberries.

Day three and we caught the bus back to Puerto Montt (where the Navimag dropped us) following a recommedation to check out the fish market and one of the nearby restaurants. It is only 20 mins away so after a leisurely breakfast we meet up with a lovely lady also staying at the Hostel (Cindy) and ventured off. The harbour area is very pretty and you can watch dolphins swimming and sea lions waiting for the end of the day fish to be donated to them. The restaurant didn´t disapoint either and we finally got round to trying Pisco Sour which is the national cocktail! Very strong tastes like lemon sherbert.

Following the indulgence of our meal out meant we felt like doing some more exercise so we hiked for 5 hours to see a better view of the volcano through the national park. What a hike, our steepest yet, but so stunning, the path leads you to the most wonderful view points to see lago todos los santos (All saints lake) which is a wonderful colour with the snow capped peak of the volcano Osorno behind you, I didn´t know which way to look half the time! I also saw my first wild monkey puzzle tree, what a treat.

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Photos

Meal at Fish Restaurant No 9
Puerto Montt, with Cindy from Holland

Harbour Puerto Montt
Sea lion waiting for the end of day fish!

Walk to see Osorno
Looking down on Lago Todos Los Santos

Comments

[Cindy the Dutchy]

Mucho gusto!
Enjoyed reading your blog and hope to read more of those adventurous, fun stories! Very nice to meet you two and maybe we'll see eachother somewhere around the globe!