The Lakes District is an area which can cater for the needs of most people in terms of trekking, touring, adventure and adrenaline activities and sight-seeing. I was not sure what I was going to do here but I upon arriving in Puerto Montt in Chile, it was apparent that the Chilean people were all very friendly, self-respecting and welcoming; much more so than elsewhere I had experienced (I have come to conclude they are thus because the population is about 80% Catholic and evidence would suggest that a large proportion are practicing ones, unlike what I have seen in much of either Argentina or Brazil).
Puerto Varas, Chile - Puerto Varas is a small town on the coast whose German design and feel is as a result of many of them immigrating to Patagonia during the previous two centuries. It was not what I was I was expecting but it helped to provide a relaxing environment, even if it didn’t feel very South American. Chile’s supermarkets have goods that are just not sold elsewhere, and this is due to its free trade with the US. It was also gratifying to see whole roasting chickens turning on spits at the deli counter!
My hostel was a nice one to relax in after spending four days on a boat. It has a guitar hanging around, and I can never resist banging out some pop tunes for others to sing along with. In fact, I have heard more Western rock and pop music here than I ever expected in the hostels, bars buses. They also love the band A-ha and so I often ponder just how much these former pop stars receive in royalties across the globe.
Cochamo, Chile - After a few days of catching up with myself in a comfortable quite, private room with a double bed, I decided to go to the Cochamo valley for some trekking. This was only after being informed by others that it was a beautiful valley resembling Yosemite National Park in the US. Good enough for me then as this is a place on my ‘to visit’ list. This gorgeous valley is only accessible by foot, horse and helicopter. I elected to go by horse firstly because I did not wish to carry my gear, and secondly, I really wanted to ride a horse again after such a long time. I was just amazed at just how a horse could negotiate such muddy and rocky terrain with up and down gradients with such care and ease. I also surprised myself that I could handle sitting on and holding on with ease, notwithstanding a bout of saddle rash. Ouch!
The refugio in which I stayed felt like a ranch in the middle of nowhere, which it is, and has much rustic charm. Being run by two lovely Argentinian women who spoke hardly any English gave me a much needed opportunity to practice some Spanish. The treks themselves were some of the hardest that I have undertaken due to their gradient but the beauty of the forests and mountains more than made up for my aches and pains.
Bariloche, Argentina- After a few days I headed back into Argentina and to the fairly large town of Bariloche- famed for its chocolate, lakes and skiing in addition to all the usual adventure activities on offer. I again elected not to do too much here apart from hang out in the evenings playing pool and making friends at the hostel. I did spent one day sharing a car hire with a good group of boys from Israel to visit the famed seven lakes. It was fun to drive again after three months and to skid around on some rough road, albeit on the right hand side and left hand drive.
Pucon, Chile - After another few days it was back across to Chile and to Pucon and its massive volcano. This small town has its own cozy alpine style look and feel to it and is where I took the chance to have some fun. The climb up to the top of the volcano was quite arduous but the group of six was good value and the reward for scaling it was to witness an active volcanic hole bellowing out acrid sulphur (enough to induce quite a headache) and great panoramic views.
Another day was spent canyoning and canopying in the beautiful surrounding forest. Canyoning involves abseiling down waterfalls of about 100 metres and into cold waters, surrounded by an ethereal circular formed rainbow around me (I really do hope that the photos taken of me are sent by the large and young Israeli group I did the activity with). It was special fun to hang out in thin air on a rope, however, the next time I will ensure that I am not doing it with a load of tiresome, loud, stupid and irritating female Israeli’s! Canopying was fast and fun as I zip lined back and forth across the valley for an hour. I may receive some pics of this event also if I am lucky.
The problem is that as I no longer possess my small party camera, and I cannot expect anyone to take a half decent pic with my larger Nikon, I am currently relying on others to take pics involving anything to do with crazy parties, heights and water. I shall consider investing in one again at some point.
I also paid a visit to a hot springs complex in order to relax my weary limbs, but more of that episode later.
Peace.
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