If you are back in to a normal life and routine, no globe-trotting insight in the near future, I had to take another travel project from the past and turning in to memories we want to share. Finally I translated our journal log from German into English and we like to share all of our beautiful moments we had in Chile. We hope it will give some other families ideas on how to travel with an infant and how it can be; joyful, easy, and a lot of fun.
Finally, September 12, we got the tickets and now the details will follow. we are going to Chile from November 9 to December 7. the map with the places marked we are planning to visit.
we are open to suggestions, just go ahead and send us your 2 cents! would be nice to hear other peoples ideas and comments.
we are open to suggestions, just go ahead and send us your 2 cents! would be nice to hear other peoples ideas and comments.
at home, Montreal Canada Sunday November 9, 2008
We were still tired from our trip to Switzerland last night and were therefore already in bed around 20:00.
But today we go, we are leaving! We exchange fall for spring in chile. Our laptop found a small storage space and will be with us. Luckily, he barely weighs no more than 1.5 KG.
09:05, the hour of truth. We leave our house in our rental car, off to the Airport.
The usual madness at the airport. As we travel with our Swiss passports to the U.S., we must fill out a visa, taking pictures, and leaving our fingerprints too.
Another cup of coffee for me, but not for Chantal. two burgers dough.
Waiting for our flight, strange feeling comes over us, was it a good idea to travel with a 9 months old? Check in at 11:50 for our Boeing 737, flight AA0729 to Miami from gate C83. Thanks to Tea, we can leave and check in with the first group. Seats A15, B15 and C15.
12:45 we take off. Tea is teething, Magnificent time.
At 16:07 we are in Miami.We need to change gate from D19 to J19. For a good hour, we are traveling on foot. Once again we have to wait to get the tickets to Santiago. Tea is not re-registered in the system, great!
We have a lot of time. Playing with Tea on the ground, visit the toilets, get water (highly dangerous and therefore difficult or very expensive to get). Check again to LA0501 on J18, a Boeing 767. Now I am told that I now sit on H32, instead of J33. Chantal and Tea have to sit on J33 and L33, because of oxygen mask and all that. At 20:42 we left the ground in North America in a new plane. After nice chatting with the staff, we are all together. A long flight through the night.
We were still tired from our trip to Switzerland last night and were therefore already in bed around 20:00.
But today we go, we are leaving! We exchange fall for spring in chile. Our laptop found a small storage space and will be with us. Luckily, he barely weighs no more than 1.5 KG.
09:05, the hour of truth. We leave our house in our rental car, off to the Airport.
The usual madness at the airport. As we travel with our Swiss passports to the U.S., we must fill out a visa, taking pictures, and leaving our fingerprints too.
Another cup of coffee for me, but not for Chantal. two burgers dough.
Waiting for our flight, strange feeling comes over us, was it a good idea to travel with a 9 months old? Check in at 11:50 for our Boeing 737, flight AA0729 to Miami from gate C83. Thanks to Tea, we can leave and check in with the first group. Seats A15, B15 and C15.
12:45 we take off. Tea is teething, Magnificent time.
At 16:07 we are in Miami.We need to change gate from D19 to J19. For a good hour, we are traveling on foot. Once again we have to wait to get the tickets to Santiago. Tea is not re-registered in the system, great!
We have a lot of time. Playing with Tea on the ground, visit the toilets, get water (highly dangerous and therefore difficult or very expensive to get). Check again to LA0501 on J18, a Boeing 767. Now I am told that I now sit on H32, instead of J33. Chantal and Tea have to sit on J33 and L33, because of oxygen mask and all that. At 20:42 we left the ground in North America in a new plane. After nice chatting with the staff, we are all together. A long flight through the night.
Antofagasta, Chile Monday November 10, 2008
At 06:40 we arrive in South America. Specifically, in Santiago de Chile. Chantal Tea and I slept a little. The service on the plane was excellent.
Now we are here. Fist time traveling alone in a foreign country, foreign airport. Tea has to pay USD 132.00. An obligation for all Canadians, the same for all Chileans travelling to Canada. This is also the reason why we are traveling as a Swiss.
Passport control, baggage and x-rays. For whatever reason. We are in the airport hall. A taxi driver offers us his help. But he wants to be paid for. Instead of taking the bus downtown Santiago, we decided to travel by plane to Antofagasta. Yet a further night without sleep and digestive problems, no shower, oh my! A kind man helps us to find another flight. At 07:51 we buy the outrageously expensive tickets. Then begins the long wait. The flight is only at 14:00. Long hours, we wait. We eat donuts, drink coffee, walk around. Try to sleep, with moderate success. Phone, sitting, walking, wait. Outside it is 30°C and we see snow-capped mountains.
SKU168 to A21, a Boeing 737 at 14:20 clock. This is our next stop. After boarding we sit on the seats A3 and B3, at the front. It is stiflingly hot. Tea falls asleep on me and moves barley throughout the flight. I'm wet, and itchy everywhere. The coastline is mostly obscured by clouds, sometimes we see a small piece of land.
Arrival at 16:55 clock in Antofagasta. Located in the middle of the desert to the sea. Dry and dusty it is. The airport is not even a closed building, it never rains here anyway. Luggage is here. The hotel search begins. The taxi driver, Nelson, phones, he tries to find us a place to sleep. He sets us down in San Martin. The room is cheap, but comfy. The cultural shock is deep. Showers, wash, eat and then we lie in bed and asleep. 34 hours after we left Montreal. We all sleep 12 hours straight.
At 06:40 we arrive in South America. Specifically, in Santiago de Chile. Chantal Tea and I slept a little. The service on the plane was excellent.
Now we are here. Fist time traveling alone in a foreign country, foreign airport. Tea has to pay USD 132.00. An obligation for all Canadians, the same for all Chileans travelling to Canada. This is also the reason why we are traveling as a Swiss.
Passport control, baggage and x-rays. For whatever reason. We are in the airport hall. A taxi driver offers us his help. But he wants to be paid for. Instead of taking the bus downtown Santiago, we decided to travel by plane to Antofagasta. Yet a further night without sleep and digestive problems, no shower, oh my! A kind man helps us to find another flight. At 07:51 we buy the outrageously expensive tickets. Then begins the long wait. The flight is only at 14:00. Long hours, we wait. We eat donuts, drink coffee, walk around. Try to sleep, with moderate success. Phone, sitting, walking, wait. Outside it is 30°C and we see snow-capped mountains.
SKU168 to A21, a Boeing 737 at 14:20 clock. This is our next stop. After boarding we sit on the seats A3 and B3, at the front. It is stiflingly hot. Tea falls asleep on me and moves barley throughout the flight. I'm wet, and itchy everywhere. The coastline is mostly obscured by clouds, sometimes we see a small piece of land.
Arrival at 16:55 clock in Antofagasta. Located in the middle of the desert to the sea. Dry and dusty it is. The airport is not even a closed building, it never rains here anyway. Luggage is here. The hotel search begins. The taxi driver, Nelson, phones, he tries to find us a place to sleep. He sets us down in San Martin. The room is cheap, but comfy. The cultural shock is deep. Showers, wash, eat and then we lie in bed and asleep. 34 hours after we left Montreal. We all sleep 12 hours straight.
Atacama desert, Chile Tuesday November 11, 2008
At 06:45 we wake up for the first time and then at 09:45 the second time. That was good! We shower, pack up and make our way down to pay. Wait! The morning meal is included, we have to try our first chilean meal. Instant coffee, from what everyone warned us, an extremely sweet fruit juice and a little tiny bread.
Here we go, into the city center. The first day in a foreign country. Everything looks extremely shabby, dusty. No wonder there are no plants, unless it is poured like crazy. It is not hot, but dry. The culture shock is still sitting deep.
Chantal buys bus tickets, for when we will be back from our trip to San Pedro. We bought the "first class". Now, we are looking for the tourist office. If possible we would like to book a hotel in San Pedro from here. The office we find, but the staff on strike. More pay. Why not. Setback, and we are still not welcome.
We spend time in the park "Plaza of Arma" until our rental car office opens. In a house that had probably better times, the whole court is transformed into a cemetery of broken cars. 2 women take a lot of time handing us the car. English? None. We begin to imagine what could happen to us all. The tank is half full and the mileage at 40349. The child seat they get from friends and he was certainly under Pinochet in use, so old he is. But we have a seat.
Shopping, refuel, search. We find the road out in the desert. Since we are already two hours behind schedule and still have 320 km to go.
The desert. Very different, very bizarre. Chantal fears the desert, even though many cars and trucks are on the road. We take a stop in Calama, but decided to continue immediately. Tea starts to get really hot. The air conditioner is already in full swing, although it is not really hot. But the sun has no mercy and heats the car quite a bit. And there we have the worst part yet to come. We go over a pass, located 3500 meters above sea level. And then finally, San Pedro de Atacama.
Unfortunately we are not the only ones who want to stay there. there is not much choice left in accommodation It is the only oasis for miles around. We find a hotel, but only for one night. We are exhausted and also a little disappointed with our planning. Finally, we get our room.. Tomorrow we will have to look further. We eat some leftovers, take a shower and go straight to bed, it's 21:30.
At 06:45 we wake up for the first time and then at 09:45 the second time. That was good! We shower, pack up and make our way down to pay. Wait! The morning meal is included, we have to try our first chilean meal. Instant coffee, from what everyone warned us, an extremely sweet fruit juice and a little tiny bread.
Here we go, into the city center. The first day in a foreign country. Everything looks extremely shabby, dusty. No wonder there are no plants, unless it is poured like crazy. It is not hot, but dry. The culture shock is still sitting deep.
Chantal buys bus tickets, for when we will be back from our trip to San Pedro. We bought the "first class". Now, we are looking for the tourist office. If possible we would like to book a hotel in San Pedro from here. The office we find, but the staff on strike. More pay. Why not. Setback, and we are still not welcome.
We spend time in the park "Plaza of Arma" until our rental car office opens. In a house that had probably better times, the whole court is transformed into a cemetery of broken cars. 2 women take a lot of time handing us the car. English? None. We begin to imagine what could happen to us all. The tank is half full and the mileage at 40349. The child seat they get from friends and he was certainly under Pinochet in use, so old he is. But we have a seat.
Shopping, refuel, search. We find the road out in the desert. Since we are already two hours behind schedule and still have 320 km to go.
The desert. Very different, very bizarre. Chantal fears the desert, even though many cars and trucks are on the road. We take a stop in Calama, but decided to continue immediately. Tea starts to get really hot. The air conditioner is already in full swing, although it is not really hot. But the sun has no mercy and heats the car quite a bit. And there we have the worst part yet to come. We go over a pass, located 3500 meters above sea level. And then finally, San Pedro de Atacama.
Unfortunately we are not the only ones who want to stay there. there is not much choice left in accommodation It is the only oasis for miles around. We find a hotel, but only for one night. We are exhausted and also a little disappointed with our planning. Finally, we get our room.. Tomorrow we will have to look further. We eat some leftovers, take a shower and go straight to bed, it's 21:30.
Valle de la Luna, Chile Wednesday November 12, 2008
Tea sleeps late after a very restless night. A group of German celebrated long in the hotel courtyard. I'm cold, and my digestive system does not quite well. I'm still not arrived in this country. Tea also suffers, teething, and also her digestion goes haywire. But I won't miss the morning meal, although quite overpriced.
Trying to find a hotel but at what price! So we can arrange it,to stay one more night in "our" hotel and then changing. Finally a little peace and we are able to discover this sweet village "San Pedro". A very small village with many tourists. We buy an hour of Internet access to organize a little bit better our next stops. Chantal is looking for a hotel in La Serena. Tea begins to get fever again.
We move into our room, # 10, in the same hotel, and try everything to get Tea's body temperature to normal. She is brave.
Finally, the fever seems to get down. We leave to visit the "Valle de la Luna". It should look like on the moon, only less colorful. A unique environment, indeed. It never really rains here and the silence is absolute. A little scary. But the impressions are great. We even make a trip to the "Green", which simply is sand and rubble here. And certainly it doesn't make the car look cleaner.
Back at the hotel, Tea has fever again. Can it really be only the teeth? What if not? We stay in the room and eat from our inventories. We try to drink as much as possible. Luckily, Chantal is still breastfeeding. I can't imagine how Tea would get enough liquid.
We pushed the beds together, we now have a large sleeping area. Tea sleeping with Chantal and keeps us a good part of the night going. Good night!
Tea sleeps late after a very restless night. A group of German celebrated long in the hotel courtyard. I'm cold, and my digestive system does not quite well. I'm still not arrived in this country. Tea also suffers, teething, and also her digestion goes haywire. But I won't miss the morning meal, although quite overpriced.
Trying to find a hotel but at what price! So we can arrange it,to stay one more night in "our" hotel and then changing. Finally a little peace and we are able to discover this sweet village "San Pedro". A very small village with many tourists. We buy an hour of Internet access to organize a little bit better our next stops. Chantal is looking for a hotel in La Serena. Tea begins to get fever again.
We move into our room, # 10, in the same hotel, and try everything to get Tea's body temperature to normal. She is brave.
Finally, the fever seems to get down. We leave to visit the "Valle de la Luna". It should look like on the moon, only less colorful. A unique environment, indeed. It never really rains here and the silence is absolute. A little scary. But the impressions are great. We even make a trip to the "Green", which simply is sand and rubble here. And certainly it doesn't make the car look cleaner.
Back at the hotel, Tea has fever again. Can it really be only the teeth? What if not? We stay in the room and eat from our inventories. We try to drink as much as possible. Luckily, Chantal is still breastfeeding. I can't imagine how Tea would get enough liquid.
We pushed the beds together, we now have a large sleeping area. Tea sleeping with Chantal and keeps us a good part of the night going. Good night!
Pablo's birthday dinner Thursday November 13, 2008
My birthday (Pablo). I am not in the mood to celebrate. Although, Tea now has no more fever. I feel hungry for the first time! Middle of the night Tea was finally released from her fever and bloating, and could get some sleep. For my digestions it took until 09:30. Tea's upper left tooth is out. On the trip we were looking forward to this event of breaking through teeth. If we had known the effect!
We organize a few others things. In La Serena we have a reservation. Very good! We got something to eat and under the shadow of a tree at the hotel yard, we lay down comfortable. 2 Irishmen are also there, waiting for their bus. We get talking and they tell us a few anecdotes from the south, where we want to visit. We laugh and Tea walks around again. All of the hotel staff come over and caress Tea's hair, as it glows golden yellow in the sun.
At 14:00 clock we move into our new hotel for the remaining two nights. We just hang out a bit and sleep whenever we need to. Although there was a swimming pool, Chantal and Tea pull on the swim suits, but the water is too cold.
To celebrate the day, we decide to go to a restaurant. Ironically, we choose a dinning place with a French chef, where we treat us with chicken (Chantal) and salmon (Pablo) and rice. Since I'm still not really have a 100% full functional stomach, Chantal eats the remaining salmon.
Sick and tired we slip under the bed cover at 22:00.
My birthday (Pablo). I am not in the mood to celebrate. Although, Tea now has no more fever. I feel hungry for the first time! Middle of the night Tea was finally released from her fever and bloating, and could get some sleep. For my digestions it took until 09:30. Tea's upper left tooth is out. On the trip we were looking forward to this event of breaking through teeth. If we had known the effect!
We organize a few others things. In La Serena we have a reservation. Very good! We got something to eat and under the shadow of a tree at the hotel yard, we lay down comfortable. 2 Irishmen are also there, waiting for their bus. We get talking and they tell us a few anecdotes from the south, where we want to visit. We laugh and Tea walks around again. All of the hotel staff come over and caress Tea's hair, as it glows golden yellow in the sun.
At 14:00 clock we move into our new hotel for the remaining two nights. We just hang out a bit and sleep whenever we need to. Although there was a swimming pool, Chantal and Tea pull on the swim suits, but the water is too cold.
To celebrate the day, we decide to go to a restaurant. Ironically, we choose a dinning place with a French chef, where we treat us with chicken (Chantal) and salmon (Pablo) and rice. Since I'm still not really have a 100% full functional stomach, Chantal eats the remaining salmon.
Sick and tired we slip under the bed cover at 22:00.
Salar de Atacama, Chile Friday November 14, 2008
Stupid dogs! The whole night, they did not even give us some rest. Was it the full moon? Is that even a full moon? Or they bark just like that? Tea still has trouble breathing, the nasal spray helps a bit but also causes tears. In the morning she is quite herself again romps, grinning, laughing. A huge sigh of relief!
Morning breakfast buffet, with hunger on the way, just great. Off to the desert, not much else is really left here. But first we have to feed the car. The only gas station in town is well hidden and the gas not cheap at all. Worse of it, I just discovered how bad the tires really are. On the inside they are expired up to the metal reinforcement. I won't mention it to Chantal.
Toconao with its bell tower and the "Valle de Jere" are our first stop. The contrast could hardly be greater. Salt desert, up to 6000 meters high mountains, some of are volcanoes, and in the middle a valley just so overflowing with vegetation. The Lava stones delivers today building materials for the houses on this site.
The "Salar de Atacama", Chile's the largest salt lake, 230,000 hectares. We drive 28 km to nowhere. The "road" is a flat-rolled salt slopes. With decent tires certainly no problem ..... The salt is everywhere, omnipresent and overpowering.
"Laguna de Chaxa" in the middle of this sea of lifeless salt crystals and shimmering heat. A saltwater lake attracts cyclists or maybe it's the flamingos. In any case, this would be the last place on my list for a bike ride.
On the way back we see for the first time since our arrival a cloud. There will be more clouds in the evening, however, they will not bring rain.
Chantal and Tea stay in the hotel for an afternoon nap. I book the ferry to the south. Then I try to pay the hotel, which fails first. The credit card is fully booked, precisely because of the reservation fee for the ferry. Using the "Google translator" and a second card I fixed this problem.
For the dinner we treat ourselves in a rather comical restaurant. A pizza on a wooden board and three mushroom bread slices are everything we want for ourselves. And the obligatory Fanta, which we can't get at home.
Much better than the dinner is our trip to the edge of the "Valle de la Luna" with sunset and sand storm.
We pack everything up except the sleep wear. Tomorrow, we heading back to Antofagasta.
Stupid dogs! The whole night, they did not even give us some rest. Was it the full moon? Is that even a full moon? Or they bark just like that? Tea still has trouble breathing, the nasal spray helps a bit but also causes tears. In the morning she is quite herself again romps, grinning, laughing. A huge sigh of relief!
Morning breakfast buffet, with hunger on the way, just great. Off to the desert, not much else is really left here. But first we have to feed the car. The only gas station in town is well hidden and the gas not cheap at all. Worse of it, I just discovered how bad the tires really are. On the inside they are expired up to the metal reinforcement. I won't mention it to Chantal.
Toconao with its bell tower and the "Valle de Jere" are our first stop. The contrast could hardly be greater. Salt desert, up to 6000 meters high mountains, some of are volcanoes, and in the middle a valley just so overflowing with vegetation. The Lava stones delivers today building materials for the houses on this site.
The "Salar de Atacama", Chile's the largest salt lake, 230,000 hectares. We drive 28 km to nowhere. The "road" is a flat-rolled salt slopes. With decent tires certainly no problem ..... The salt is everywhere, omnipresent and overpowering.
"Laguna de Chaxa" in the middle of this sea of lifeless salt crystals and shimmering heat. A saltwater lake attracts cyclists or maybe it's the flamingos. In any case, this would be the last place on my list for a bike ride.
On the way back we see for the first time since our arrival a cloud. There will be more clouds in the evening, however, they will not bring rain.
Chantal and Tea stay in the hotel for an afternoon nap. I book the ferry to the south. Then I try to pay the hotel, which fails first. The credit card is fully booked, precisely because of the reservation fee for the ferry. Using the "Google translator" and a second card I fixed this problem.
For the dinner we treat ourselves in a rather comical restaurant. A pizza on a wooden board and three mushroom bread slices are everything we want for ourselves. And the obligatory Fanta, which we can't get at home.
Much better than the dinner is our trip to the edge of the "Valle de la Luna" with sunset and sand storm.
We pack everything up except the sleep wear. Tomorrow, we heading back to Antofagasta.
Antofagasta, Chile Saturday November 15, 2008
Tea sleeps through the first night and we are quite rested this morning. Although we already bounce out of bed at 7:00, but then only left at 9:00. Also, thanks to an extended morning meal.
In the morning light, everything looks different, more interesting. But also lifeless. It seems as if we were the only people far and wide. Nevertheless, we see two lamas.
Carama, 2 giant mines and 35 tourist buses brings hectic. Somehow, time is running out. This country is simply huge! I get nervous, especially at the end of the trip I just missed the way. And the feeling of hunger shows up at the stupidest time.
With 41'181 km, we return the car at 13:00 again.surprisingly, someone is at the station to take back the car and to create the account. We determine the price based on an online calculator and once more with the help of "Google Translate".
Here again, we are traveling on foot. Normally, we visiting internet coffee shops, but that is impossible to find. And coffee shops are strip clubs here. Therefore unsuitable for Tea.
Once more we stand at the "Plaza del Colon". The tourist office is still closed. We enjoy the warm and relatively humid summer day in the park. Unfortunately, we are with all that luggage a bit too immobile to be able to discover much. So we visit the nearby old train station and the customs station. And finally placed Tea in a shopping cart in a shopping center. Tea's upper right tooth has made it.
I treat myself to a coffee in a license branch of an Italian roasting. Crazy, these globalization. And we eat the Chilean kind of a hamburger. Unfortunately, the quality of the meat is not the same that we are used.
Now we just wait for the evening and that our bus finally takes off. At the port, Tea is able to crawl around in the lawn. She enjoys it clearly and we enjoy the relatively cool sea breeze.
20:20, finally the bus is in motion. We rented 2 beds (seat 4 +5) in the "basement" of the bus No. 1786. Slowly but powerfully, the road ship (bus) starts to move. A small dinner is served, distributed blankets and pillows. Absolutely great. Then, when the lights go out and nothing can be seen just night, we fall asleep. Gently rocked to sleep.
Tea sleeps through the first night and we are quite rested this morning. Although we already bounce out of bed at 7:00, but then only left at 9:00. Also, thanks to an extended morning meal.
In the morning light, everything looks different, more interesting. But also lifeless. It seems as if we were the only people far and wide. Nevertheless, we see two lamas.
Carama, 2 giant mines and 35 tourist buses brings hectic. Somehow, time is running out. This country is simply huge! I get nervous, especially at the end of the trip I just missed the way. And the feeling of hunger shows up at the stupidest time.
With 41'181 km, we return the car at 13:00 again.surprisingly, someone is at the station to take back the car and to create the account. We determine the price based on an online calculator and once more with the help of "Google Translate".
Here again, we are traveling on foot. Normally, we visiting internet coffee shops, but that is impossible to find. And coffee shops are strip clubs here. Therefore unsuitable for Tea.
Once more we stand at the "Plaza del Colon". The tourist office is still closed. We enjoy the warm and relatively humid summer day in the park. Unfortunately, we are with all that luggage a bit too immobile to be able to discover much. So we visit the nearby old train station and the customs station. And finally placed Tea in a shopping cart in a shopping center. Tea's upper right tooth has made it.
I treat myself to a coffee in a license branch of an Italian roasting. Crazy, these globalization. And we eat the Chilean kind of a hamburger. Unfortunately, the quality of the meat is not the same that we are used.
Now we just wait for the evening and that our bus finally takes off. At the port, Tea is able to crawl around in the lawn. She enjoys it clearly and we enjoy the relatively cool sea breeze.
20:20, finally the bus is in motion. We rented 2 beds (seat 4 +5) in the "basement" of the bus No. 1786. Slowly but powerfully, the road ship (bus) starts to move. A small dinner is served, distributed blankets and pillows. Absolutely great. Then, when the lights go out and nothing can be seen just night, we fall asleep. Gently rocked to sleep.
La Serena, Chile Sunday November 16, 2008
We stop a few times, people get on and off the bus. We remain on the bus. We arrive well rested in La Serena. Bathroom stop is our first goal and then we enjoy our morning meal in the sunshine on Quai 20.
We go by foot across the most picturesque and very empty town. The hotel room (Hotel del Cid, O'Higgins N º 138, La Serena, Casilla 822, Chile) is already booked. We are warmly welcomed even though we certainly do not smell like roses. Even a morning meal, with cheese, bread and ham are offered, that's how a day should start.
Our room is ready, number 14, on the ground floor. Unfortunately, a smoking room, but after 3 hours of airing actually quite tolerable. We shower once extensively. The laundry, will be done another time. For the first time in a few weeks we call our parents and unlock our credit card. Thanks to Sykpe and Internet.
Now a city tour begins. Criss-cross through the town and afterwards down to the lighthouse, which is located a good 4 to 5 km from the city. We are all alone on the beach.
On the way back we are chased by a dog. Stubbornly she asks for something to eat. Dogs! it has more than enough here and somehow I feel sorry for them.
We buy our next bus ticket to Valpariso. Another stop at the only one open supermarket and get something to eat. Finally, we picnic at the hotel room. Tea finds it exciting and romps around on our bed. After bath time she falls asleep very fast. We book accommodation vie e-mail at Valparaiso and sleep much better afterwards.
We stop a few times, people get on and off the bus. We remain on the bus. We arrive well rested in La Serena. Bathroom stop is our first goal and then we enjoy our morning meal in the sunshine on Quai 20.
We go by foot across the most picturesque and very empty town. The hotel room (Hotel del Cid, O'Higgins N º 138, La Serena, Casilla 822, Chile) is already booked. We are warmly welcomed even though we certainly do not smell like roses. Even a morning meal, with cheese, bread and ham are offered, that's how a day should start.
Our room is ready, number 14, on the ground floor. Unfortunately, a smoking room, but after 3 hours of airing actually quite tolerable. We shower once extensively. The laundry, will be done another time. For the first time in a few weeks we call our parents and unlock our credit card. Thanks to Sykpe and Internet.
Now a city tour begins. Criss-cross through the town and afterwards down to the lighthouse, which is located a good 4 to 5 km from the city. We are all alone on the beach.
On the way back we are chased by a dog. Stubbornly she asks for something to eat. Dogs! it has more than enough here and somehow I feel sorry for them.
We buy our next bus ticket to Valpariso. Another stop at the only one open supermarket and get something to eat. Finally, we picnic at the hotel room. Tea finds it exciting and romps around on our bed. After bath time she falls asleep very fast. We book accommodation vie e-mail at Valparaiso and sleep much better afterwards.
Monday November 17, 2008
Wake up at 7:30. Tea sleeps peacefully till 8:45 and now we are sitting at the tables and eating breakfast. It tastes so delicious. Chantal looks a movie with Clint Eastwood. Well there is a television in the room .... another stop at the bathroom and then we make our way to the bus station. Across the town, but this time much more busy.
At 11:35 our bus leaves to Valparaiso. The seats number are 7 and 8. First we drive along beautiful sandy beaches and resorts, almost like somewhere in southern Europe. from one city to the other. From time to time passengers get on or off. Sometimes we feel like this happens in the middle of nowhere. And sometimes some food vendor get on the bus and after selling they get off again. Probably, they know the schedule.
An hour earlier than planned, we are already at our destination. The tour guides do not even speak enough English to get us a useful map. Our hosts explained us by email how we have to take the bus No. 607, but we just could not figure out at which station to take the bus and where he would go. We take a taxi and handled out the price before. Fortunately. A roller-coaster ride begins. The driver does not seem to know his city. At breakneck speed, he drives. We arrive at our hostel (Casa Kreyenberg, Avenida alemania 4626, Cerro alegre, 2380110 Valparaiso, Chile). We are welcomed and enjoy the wonderful view. A very nice house, very clean rooms. And we can wash our clothes. Tea enjoys it, to be able to crawl around and having some freedom. We sit at the living room table, involved in discussions till late night.
Wake up at 7:30. Tea sleeps peacefully till 8:45 and now we are sitting at the tables and eating breakfast. It tastes so delicious. Chantal looks a movie with Clint Eastwood. Well there is a television in the room .... another stop at the bathroom and then we make our way to the bus station. Across the town, but this time much more busy.
At 11:35 our bus leaves to Valparaiso. The seats number are 7 and 8. First we drive along beautiful sandy beaches and resorts, almost like somewhere in southern Europe. from one city to the other. From time to time passengers get on or off. Sometimes we feel like this happens in the middle of nowhere. And sometimes some food vendor get on the bus and after selling they get off again. Probably, they know the schedule.
An hour earlier than planned, we are already at our destination. The tour guides do not even speak enough English to get us a useful map. Our hosts explained us by email how we have to take the bus No. 607, but we just could not figure out at which station to take the bus and where he would go. We take a taxi and handled out the price before. Fortunately. A roller-coaster ride begins. The driver does not seem to know his city. At breakneck speed, he drives. We arrive at our hostel (Casa Kreyenberg, Avenida alemania 4626, Cerro alegre, 2380110 Valparaiso, Chile). We are welcomed and enjoy the wonderful view. A very nice house, very clean rooms. And we can wash our clothes. Tea enjoys it, to be able to crawl around and having some freedom. We sit at the living room table, involved in discussions till late night.
J Cruz restaurant, Valparaiso, Chile Tuesday November 18, 2008
The morning meal is spectacular. All the other guests (all Canadians) to encounter later and do not eat very much. There is more left for us. We slept like babies. Everything is just very pleasant. The bathroom is as big as Tea's room in our home. We can understand that all this was built by Germans.
To provide hot water for showers, we must first bring the gas boiler going. With matches and all that. Sounds strange for us.
We buy diapers and some food in the city. And almost stepped in a demonstration. Salary increases are demanded here on the street. A good sign, actually. But as a foreigner, you should not be caught there. It means expulsion of the country.
We eat on the terrace in the sun while our clothes dries.
At 16:00 we get picked up by Max, we met him through the the free accommodation site couchsurfing.org. He shows us a city that we have not discovered alone. Everything is so twisty and also branched far. Our first stop is Pablo Neruda's house. And I enjoy a good coffee afterwards, which is not a reality here in Chile, the good coffee.
Next, we head to the famous 4 viewpoints. Finally, we eat a local specialty called "chorrillana" at J Cruz (Condell 1466), where we would certainly never step in. Fries with meat and cheese. Very special, very, very good! And a beer! Thank you Max!
The morning meal is spectacular. All the other guests (all Canadians) to encounter later and do not eat very much. There is more left for us. We slept like babies. Everything is just very pleasant. The bathroom is as big as Tea's room in our home. We can understand that all this was built by Germans.
To provide hot water for showers, we must first bring the gas boiler going. With matches and all that. Sounds strange for us.
We buy diapers and some food in the city. And almost stepped in a demonstration. Salary increases are demanded here on the street. A good sign, actually. But as a foreigner, you should not be caught there. It means expulsion of the country.
We eat on the terrace in the sun while our clothes dries.
At 16:00 we get picked up by Max, we met him through the the free accommodation site couchsurfing.org. He shows us a city that we have not discovered alone. Everything is so twisty and also branched far. Our first stop is Pablo Neruda's house. And I enjoy a good coffee afterwards, which is not a reality here in Chile, the good coffee.
Next, we head to the famous 4 viewpoints. Finally, we eat a local specialty called "chorrillana" at J Cruz (Condell 1466), where we would certainly never step in. Fries with meat and cheese. Very special, very, very good! And a beer! Thank you Max!
Valparaiso, Chile Wednesday November 19, 2008
Slept well, once again. We organize the onward journey. Write emails, count money. We make our way to the zubesorgen the tickets for the bus to Talca and Puerto Montt, on foot. We also furnish a visit to the market, but we stay outside. Somehow we do not feel ready at the same end of a wasp's nest swarm mitzumischen.
On the way back we almost got in a protest march, including police checks everywhere. It's about better wages for state employees, especially because inflation made life very more expensive the last few months. Since we do not want to be associated with it and we were down also suggest that participation might have the deportation consequence, we make a big circle around the whole thing. With the result of a much longer foot march.
Before the beautifully preserved buildings of the naval forces we sit down for a coffee. Well, the cost of living.
So we do not show up empty-handed in the children's home in Pelarco, we are on the search for a football. Not that we really have the space for it, but kids will surely like something that does not decompose the same into 1000 pieces. The search is more difficult than the first but we imagine we finally find what we are looking for and also the way back to the accommodation is no mystery.
In a restaurant close we ordered a "salad" vegetables and rolls. The salad resembles nothing we imagine it, but the food is good and relatively cheap. All the other restaurants were rather expensive.
Back in our room then we pack again. Unfortunately, there were 2 very nice days here in Valparaiso.
Slept well, once again. We organize the onward journey. Write emails, count money. We make our way to the zubesorgen the tickets for the bus to Talca and Puerto Montt, on foot. We also furnish a visit to the market, but we stay outside. Somehow we do not feel ready at the same end of a wasp's nest swarm mitzumischen.
On the way back we almost got in a protest march, including police checks everywhere. It's about better wages for state employees, especially because inflation made life very more expensive the last few months. Since we do not want to be associated with it and we were down also suggest that participation might have the deportation consequence, we make a big circle around the whole thing. With the result of a much longer foot march.
Before the beautifully preserved buildings of the naval forces we sit down for a coffee. Well, the cost of living.
So we do not show up empty-handed in the children's home in Pelarco, we are on the search for a football. Not that we really have the space for it, but kids will surely like something that does not decompose the same into 1000 pieces. The search is more difficult than the first but we imagine we finally find what we are looking for and also the way back to the accommodation is no mystery.
In a restaurant close we ordered a "salad" vegetables and rolls. The salad resembles nothing we imagine it, but the food is good and relatively cheap. All the other restaurants were rather expensive.
Back in our room then we pack again. Unfortunately, there were 2 very nice days here in Valparaiso.
Orphanage Te Amo, Pelarco Chile Thursday November 20, 2008
We spread a few loaves of bread and then take a taxi to the bus station. Our hosts organize all of this and the taxi driver also agrees to throw the postcards. We simply could not find a post office box. At the bus station is a hurry-scurry and we are very confused which bus could ours. Once again, a few Spanish lessons could be very helpful.
At 11:45, our bus arrives and drives a few minutes later direction to Talca. We fall asleep almost immediately, it's way too hot in the bus.
When we wake up we are in a kind of valley, like the Valais, only much wider and longer and poorer.On some fields, we still see the horses pulling the plow.
The roads are nicely asphalted, but almost empty. Sometimes there are buses and trucks on the road. Many fields here are planted with fruit for export and we also see a few of the well-known wineries.
16:30, we arrive in Talca. Literally we feel that we are not in Europe or North America. Smoking Barrels, abandoned cars, street vendors.
At the bus station - no Esaul. Actually, it was agreed that he would pick us up. A stress situation. Phone works more bad than good and with Chantal patience she tries again. We are loosing 800 Chilean Pesos and still do not know what is going on. In an internet café in the same building Chantal tries to get contact via email with Anja, one of the volunteers at the orphanage. She tells us, we should take those collective taxi to Pelarco. Oh Lord! An employee at the bus goes all the way with us to the taxi company. Very helpful, but our fault, we werent careful enough in school and learn more Spanish.
The collective taxi is going. At a breakneck speed, without straps and with very questionable provoking background noise. Esaul's wife picks us up in Pelarco. With an old SUV we swing towards the children's village. 3 children (girls :)) surrounding tea and take her in, after a while it is a little bit too much for her.
They specially prepared a room for us, a nice and big one. It is late spring here. My shoulder hurts more and more and I can feel the spring, my nose is running and my eyes burn - hay fever in November. All three of us are very tired.
We are invited for dinner, but do not know yet if our English will be enough to converse. It can get quite awkward sitting at the table eating their food and not being able to talk to them.
We are introduced to all the kids and we passe the soccer ball to them, which the children appreciated but soon just disappeared. Tea is again "kidnapped" and all call us "Tio" and "Tia". It is very loud around all this kids. Luckily, the houses are very spacious. We are THE limelight for them. Thanks to the two German volunteers we can communicate a little. Tea has become so distraught that she hardly could calme down. Even when we put her to bed, it took us a while until she falls asleep.
At dinner, there are about 12 people, Esaul family, the two Germans and ourselves. Paul, a Swiss carpenter, who could not let go of this country, encountered at the table. Many languages are spoken here, with some translations it goes back and forth. Loud and funny.
Time for bed. We fall asleep quickly. It is extremely quiet out here.
We spread a few loaves of bread and then take a taxi to the bus station. Our hosts organize all of this and the taxi driver also agrees to throw the postcards. We simply could not find a post office box. At the bus station is a hurry-scurry and we are very confused which bus could ours. Once again, a few Spanish lessons could be very helpful.
At 11:45, our bus arrives and drives a few minutes later direction to Talca. We fall asleep almost immediately, it's way too hot in the bus.
When we wake up we are in a kind of valley, like the Valais, only much wider and longer and poorer.On some fields, we still see the horses pulling the plow.
The roads are nicely asphalted, but almost empty. Sometimes there are buses and trucks on the road. Many fields here are planted with fruit for export and we also see a few of the well-known wineries.
16:30, we arrive in Talca. Literally we feel that we are not in Europe or North America. Smoking Barrels, abandoned cars, street vendors.
At the bus station - no Esaul. Actually, it was agreed that he would pick us up. A stress situation. Phone works more bad than good and with Chantal patience she tries again. We are loosing 800 Chilean Pesos and still do not know what is going on. In an internet café in the same building Chantal tries to get contact via email with Anja, one of the volunteers at the orphanage. She tells us, we should take those collective taxi to Pelarco. Oh Lord! An employee at the bus goes all the way with us to the taxi company. Very helpful, but our fault, we werent careful enough in school and learn more Spanish.
The collective taxi is going. At a breakneck speed, without straps and with very questionable provoking background noise. Esaul's wife picks us up in Pelarco. With an old SUV we swing towards the children's village. 3 children (girls :)) surrounding tea and take her in, after a while it is a little bit too much for her.
They specially prepared a room for us, a nice and big one. It is late spring here. My shoulder hurts more and more and I can feel the spring, my nose is running and my eyes burn - hay fever in November. All three of us are very tired.
We are invited for dinner, but do not know yet if our English will be enough to converse. It can get quite awkward sitting at the table eating their food and not being able to talk to them.
We are introduced to all the kids and we passe the soccer ball to them, which the children appreciated but soon just disappeared. Tea is again "kidnapped" and all call us "Tio" and "Tia". It is very loud around all this kids. Luckily, the houses are very spacious. We are THE limelight for them. Thanks to the two German volunteers we can communicate a little. Tea has become so distraught that she hardly could calme down. Even when we put her to bed, it took us a while until she falls asleep.
At dinner, there are about 12 people, Esaul family, the two Germans and ourselves. Paul, a Swiss carpenter, who could not let go of this country, encountered at the table. Many languages are spoken here, with some translations it goes back and forth. Loud and funny.
Time for bed. We fall asleep quickly. It is extremely quiet out here.
Tea (11 months) at Te Amo Friday November 21, 2008
Instant Coffee for breakfast, but not that bad.
Esaul takes us around on the site, showing us what is going on, what the plans for the future are an so on. The office is set up, the carpenters corner with imported equipment from Switzerland is ready. Everything spread out on a huge site. A soccer field has been built and a children's playground is planned. The trees, which should donate shadow in the future are already planted. 20 of them, one tree for every child at the orphanage.
The hay fever gets stronger and stronger. At 16:00, we pick up the boys and off to buy in a small shop a couple ice creams. 12 pieces we buy from the luckily woman. Everything together cost not more than 3 CAD, crazy. Milk is impossible to pay, and ice cream from Nestle's is almost for free.
Back in the house, I play pinch-hitter with the boys, we fool around until there is an afternoon snack served, a gift for Marike, one of the two German volunteers, she is leaving the orphanage. Wow, what a sugar festival!
Most children now leave the village and go to their families to spend their weekend with.
Evening, dinner at 22:00, again more than generous. Again, it's very late when we finally go to sleep.
Instant Coffee for breakfast, but not that bad.
Esaul takes us around on the site, showing us what is going on, what the plans for the future are an so on. The office is set up, the carpenters corner with imported equipment from Switzerland is ready. Everything spread out on a huge site. A soccer field has been built and a children's playground is planned. The trees, which should donate shadow in the future are already planted. 20 of them, one tree for every child at the orphanage.
The hay fever gets stronger and stronger. At 16:00, we pick up the boys and off to buy in a small shop a couple ice creams. 12 pieces we buy from the luckily woman. Everything together cost not more than 3 CAD, crazy. Milk is impossible to pay, and ice cream from Nestle's is almost for free.
Back in the house, I play pinch-hitter with the boys, we fool around until there is an afternoon snack served, a gift for Marike, one of the two German volunteers, she is leaving the orphanage. Wow, what a sugar festival!
Most children now leave the village and go to their families to spend their weekend with.
Evening, dinner at 22:00, again more than generous. Again, it's very late when we finally go to sleep.
Te Amo, Pelarco Chile Saturday November 22, 2008
Eating just before noon. Actually I wanted to get up early and go with the two Germans girls to Talca, but I was too tired.
Susan says goodbye as she travels to the North for the rest of the day. We have the impression that they liked to accommodate us even longer. Anyhow, she thinks we should stay and teach them German, and in return we can learn Spanish. With the help of Google Translate Esaul & Pablo try to have a conversation. Esaul laments the slow computer and Pablo tries to figure out what it is. A few MB more RAM and a bigger hard drive would help a lot. Let's see what else is lying around in our office at home - maybe it pays off to send it to them.
At 15:00, we eat spaghetti from the day before. We spend the afternoon with playing and sleeping. At 18:30 Esaul says goodbye, he goes to church now. He works there as pastor.
The two German girls bring us to Pelarco, where we venture again a ride with one of the collective taxis. We are heading back to Talca. At the bus station we feed us with fast food stuff. And again, we are waiting for the bus. Everything is closed and dark. Spooky, we are waiting hopefully, in a strange town, for a bus. He arrives to the minute, and we take immediate our Salon Cama seats. There were no more beds free for this ride. The seats aer not flat, but quite comfortable. Chantal does not sleep very much, but Tea has plenty of it.
Eating just before noon. Actually I wanted to get up early and go with the two Germans girls to Talca, but I was too tired.
Susan says goodbye as she travels to the North for the rest of the day. We have the impression that they liked to accommodate us even longer. Anyhow, she thinks we should stay and teach them German, and in return we can learn Spanish. With the help of Google Translate Esaul & Pablo try to have a conversation. Esaul laments the slow computer and Pablo tries to figure out what it is. A few MB more RAM and a bigger hard drive would help a lot. Let's see what else is lying around in our office at home - maybe it pays off to send it to them.
At 15:00, we eat spaghetti from the day before. We spend the afternoon with playing and sleeping. At 18:30 Esaul says goodbye, he goes to church now. He works there as pastor.
The two German girls bring us to Pelarco, where we venture again a ride with one of the collective taxis. We are heading back to Talca. At the bus station we feed us with fast food stuff. And again, we are waiting for the bus. Everything is closed and dark. Spooky, we are waiting hopefully, in a strange town, for a bus. He arrives to the minute, and we take immediate our Salon Cama seats. There were no more beds free for this ride. The seats aer not flat, but quite comfortable. Chantal does not sleep very much, but Tea has plenty of it.
Chacao, Chile Sunday November 23, 2008
8:00 in the morning and we are in Puerto Montt. Punctual as always. The bus looks wet, it must have rained. And indeed, the sky is overcast for the first time since we had landed two weeks ago in Santiago. The wind is fresh and we are reach for our winter clothes. Finally, those clothes get used after traveling for 2 weeks in our luggage. For breakfast we treat ourselves at the bus station, we are hungry and could not wait. Pablo ordered (not entirely voluntary) toast with avocado hummus and Chantal gets 2 three-minutes egg in a glass and bread. Simply, good!
We have to get to the airport. There, we have to get our rental car, and he is located a few kilometers outside the city, as it is actually normal for an airport. The taxi is too expensive, the bus just costs about $ 3 per person. After thinking back and forth we opt for the bus and Chantal is kind enough to get the tickets. Spanish would be really helpful. The journey to the airport takes 25 minutes.
Arrived at the airport, we are looking for the National / Alamo counter. Once found, we have to wait. A couple came to the counter a second faster than us and we have to wait. We beat 1 1/2 hours at the airport until we can pack our car and drive off. The car seat for Tea, which was reserved, was not available or did not exists. The clerk negotiates with Euro-Bonds rental. We got our car seat and had to pay cash the Euro-Bonds car rental, $ 30 for 3 days. Tea is more worth than that.
Unfortunately, we have no more cash now and the car tank is only a quarter full. So we head back to Puerto. Montt to get money and gasoline. Finally, we are on our way to Isla Chiloe. 59 km later, we reach the ferry, which takes us for CLP 9000 to Chacao. The crossing takes about 30 minutes.
We travel half the island to search for a hotel in Castro. Castro is the capital of the island. In our guide, we find a hostel, which makes a pleasant impression and is not too expensive (40 CAD/ night), it also includes a breakfast and a parking lot for our Toyota Yaris.
Now we have time to discover Castro and looking for something eatable. In a Restaurant not too far away from our accommodation, we order fish, Cordon Bleu and a beer, really good! The weather is cold, windy and chilly, we end the day in bed quite early. It's time to organize and control the finances.
8:00 in the morning and we are in Puerto Montt. Punctual as always. The bus looks wet, it must have rained. And indeed, the sky is overcast for the first time since we had landed two weeks ago in Santiago. The wind is fresh and we are reach for our winter clothes. Finally, those clothes get used after traveling for 2 weeks in our luggage. For breakfast we treat ourselves at the bus station, we are hungry and could not wait. Pablo ordered (not entirely voluntary) toast with avocado hummus and Chantal gets 2 three-minutes egg in a glass and bread. Simply, good!
We have to get to the airport. There, we have to get our rental car, and he is located a few kilometers outside the city, as it is actually normal for an airport. The taxi is too expensive, the bus just costs about $ 3 per person. After thinking back and forth we opt for the bus and Chantal is kind enough to get the tickets. Spanish would be really helpful. The journey to the airport takes 25 minutes.
Arrived at the airport, we are looking for the National / Alamo counter. Once found, we have to wait. A couple came to the counter a second faster than us and we have to wait. We beat 1 1/2 hours at the airport until we can pack our car and drive off. The car seat for Tea, which was reserved, was not available or did not exists. The clerk negotiates with Euro-Bonds rental. We got our car seat and had to pay cash the Euro-Bonds car rental, $ 30 for 3 days. Tea is more worth than that.
Unfortunately, we have no more cash now and the car tank is only a quarter full. So we head back to Puerto. Montt to get money and gasoline. Finally, we are on our way to Isla Chiloe. 59 km later, we reach the ferry, which takes us for CLP 9000 to Chacao. The crossing takes about 30 minutes.
We travel half the island to search for a hotel in Castro. Castro is the capital of the island. In our guide, we find a hostel, which makes a pleasant impression and is not too expensive (40 CAD/ night), it also includes a breakfast and a parking lot for our Toyota Yaris.
Now we have time to discover Castro and looking for something eatable. In a Restaurant not too far away from our accommodation, we order fish, Cordon Bleu and a beer, really good! The weather is cold, windy and chilly, we end the day in bed quite early. It's time to organize and control the finances.
Castro, Chile Monday November 24, 2008
Comfy and relaxed, we are still in bed. Today, right after shower & breakfast, we are checking downtown of Castro, the capital of this Island. Well, the temperature is rainy, but hey that does not disturb us in any way, because it is our first day of rain since we arrived here in Chile.
While it is raining outside and 10 months old baby with us, we eat our lunch (sandwich's) in the car, why not it is a rental car :). On the road again, direction Puerto Varras where we arrive around 18:00. We are accommodated at 1424 Santa Teresita Oriente. Our Couchsurfing friend is not yet at home, we are making a detour into the city in order to find the tourism office and a city map. At 19:00, we are back at our friends Bruno's house and he accommodates us with a big smile. He has a really nice home, such richness we could not find anywhere in Chile before. He shows us our room. The bed is a bit small for the three of us, so Tea needs to sleep on the floor on our camping mattress. Well, the night is an ordinary night for a 10 months baby, Tea awakes every 2-3 hours and coughs. Well in the end, Pablo sleeps on the floor and Tea with me in bed.
Comfy and relaxed, we are still in bed. Today, right after shower & breakfast, we are checking downtown of Castro, the capital of this Island. Well, the temperature is rainy, but hey that does not disturb us in any way, because it is our first day of rain since we arrived here in Chile.
While it is raining outside and 10 months old baby with us, we eat our lunch (sandwich's) in the car, why not it is a rental car :). On the road again, direction Puerto Varras where we arrive around 18:00. We are accommodated at 1424 Santa Teresita Oriente. Our Couchsurfing friend is not yet at home, we are making a detour into the city in order to find the tourism office and a city map. At 19:00, we are back at our friends Bruno's house and he accommodates us with a big smile. He has a really nice home, such richness we could not find anywhere in Chile before. He shows us our room. The bed is a bit small for the three of us, so Tea needs to sleep on the floor on our camping mattress. Well, the night is an ordinary night for a 10 months baby, Tea awakes every 2-3 hours and coughs. Well in the end, Pablo sleeps on the floor and Tea with me in bed.
Orsono Volcano, Chile Tuesday November 25, 2008
After Breakfast, we are already on the road to discover the surroundings which is very fascinating. The today's journey goes around the Lago LLanguihue. Driving along the lake side, we are heading towards Fruttillar. We are accompanied by the Orsono volcano, the main attraction of this region. Shortly decided, we take the small route which leads us to the top (almost) of the volcano. The street has curves like in the Alpes and some people do not know how to drive those and we had great laughter. On the top, we find a ski lift system and a little coffee shop. The snow is almost gone but the view awesome. The idea skiing on a volcano is fascinating. A couple years before, the volcano had a little eruption and left behind this strange, but beautiful landscape. I had to collect a little volcano stone to take home as a souvenir.
In every tourism booklet they describe a nice region for hiking, swimming, and fishing, so we do not want to miss that. Petrouhé is really interesting but more or less boring if you do not any kind of those sports. For swimming, the weather is just to cold. We still enjoy the beach and a little stroll in the forest. on the way back, Pablo would love to get an "Once", it is a kind of a snack around 16:00 o'clock, cake and coffee are on the menu. The Chileans eat diner between 19:00 - 20:00. Unfortunately, Tea get's asleep and we are not keen on waking her up. So, another time we will get an Once.
Back in Puerto Varras, we get some grocery done and head back to Bruno's house to cook some diner. A little bit talking and it is already 22:00. Good night for today.
After Breakfast, we are already on the road to discover the surroundings which is very fascinating. The today's journey goes around the Lago LLanguihue. Driving along the lake side, we are heading towards Fruttillar. We are accompanied by the Orsono volcano, the main attraction of this region. Shortly decided, we take the small route which leads us to the top (almost) of the volcano. The street has curves like in the Alpes and some people do not know how to drive those and we had great laughter. On the top, we find a ski lift system and a little coffee shop. The snow is almost gone but the view awesome. The idea skiing on a volcano is fascinating. A couple years before, the volcano had a little eruption and left behind this strange, but beautiful landscape. I had to collect a little volcano stone to take home as a souvenir.
In every tourism booklet they describe a nice region for hiking, swimming, and fishing, so we do not want to miss that. Petrouhé is really interesting but more or less boring if you do not any kind of those sports. For swimming, the weather is just to cold. We still enjoy the beach and a little stroll in the forest. on the way back, Pablo would love to get an "Once", it is a kind of a snack around 16:00 o'clock, cake and coffee are on the menu. The Chileans eat diner between 19:00 - 20:00. Unfortunately, Tea get's asleep and we are not keen on waking her up. So, another time we will get an Once.
Back in Puerto Varras, we get some grocery done and head back to Bruno's house to cook some diner. A little bit talking and it is already 22:00. Good night for today.
