Peter byt the lake.
Also, where we didn't stay.
Where we did stay.Some nice flowering trees.
Tuesday, Nov. 16.
As usual, we are early for the bus and almost take the one before ours - although it would not have made a difference, but someone was in “our” seats. We discover, that if you look in the bottom left-hand corner of the front window of the bus, the departure time is noted by a clock-sign set for the time. Everyone is jolly as the exocentric foreigners retrieve their suitcase (we are sharing one from Santiago), and return to the bench to await the correct bus. Ours arrives about 10 minutes later, leaves a few minutes late, and we are off for our two-hour milk run.
The scenery is much like Eastern Canada, until we begin to see some snow-capped mountains to the east. Then, as we approach the town of Villarrica, we see Volcan Villarrica and see the steam rising from the crater. It is a clear blue day and it is most impressive. We go closer and closer as we follow the shore around the lake. If we were forty years younger, we would do the climb to the crater, but, at almost seventy, it does not seem wise. Word is that the descent is more dangerous than the climb as people choose to slide down on their bottoms and can reach dangerous speeds. Sounds like fun!
The hostel we have booked is like a ski chalet in the middle of town. Luckily, we are the only occupants at the time, so the 10 plus beds upstairs are empty. We have a double bed and private bath, but we also have the large living-dining room and kitchen to ourselves. Works for me!
We find the lavaderia (to get our now bulging dirty-laundry bag emptied). It is a little expensive, but will be done today. As it turns out, everything is extremely clean and neatly folded so there is no need for ironing.
We have two days in Pucon, but, other than viewing the volcano and wandering the streets, we are not sure how we will fill two days. I guess we will call it down-time.
The hostel owner has recommended two restaurants which he feels will give us value for money. (This is definitely a tourist town and there are almost as many restaurants as there are residents! - A slight exaggeration.)
We take his advise and have a very nice dinner. We have decided to take some time tomorrow to begin planning our trip to New Zealand. Hopefully, sitting on the black sand beach, eating cheese and crackers, and sharing a bottle of wine. Hasta pronto.
Wednesday, November 17.
Two more weeks. There seems quite a bit more to do, but I think we will pack it all in. The Nasca area is the one we can’t get a lot of information about. I have saved some of my “government” money and have my “seasick” pills from New Zealand, both of which I believe will be needed if we are to take a small-plane ride to view the lines. Like Machu Picchu, these are very unique to South America. Hopefully, we will find some information when we reach Arica, the most northern city we will visit in Chile.
Peter had a restless night and I didn’t turn the TV off until midnight - I found a station with “Law & Order” in English - so we do not awaken until 9 a.m.. What a treat! As there is not a whole lot to do, I boil eggs for tomorrow, make tuna sandwiches for today, and cook eggs with a slice of cheese topping for breakfast. We have enough coffee we took from the Holiday Inn to have a mug each. Sometimes it is the little things that count.
It is an overcast day and quite cool. I feel sorry for anyone who climbs the volcano today or has this as their only day in town. By the end of the day, at least, the volcano is visible.
When we pass the City Hall, we notice there is a warning signal for the eventuality of the volcano erupting. Unfortunately, it doesn’t tell you what to do. We have to assume the volcano is monitored, as was the one on White Island in New Zealand, and the authorities would evacuate us if there is any danger. Who knows? We travel inland from the city of Concepcion which was the epi-centre of a strong earthquake earlier this year.
We are on the move again tomorrow. We need to be up early and walk, dragging our Eagle Creek suitcase and wearing our backpacks, the 15 minutes to the bus depot. Nobody would guess our age!
As usual, we are early for the bus and almost take the one before ours - although it would not have made a difference, but someone was in “our” seats. We discover, that if you look in the bottom left-hand corner of the front window of the bus, the departure time is noted by a clock-sign set for the time. Everyone is jolly as the exocentric foreigners retrieve their suitcase (we are sharing one from Santiago), and return to the bench to await the correct bus. Ours arrives about 10 minutes later, leaves a few minutes late, and we are off for our two-hour milk run.
The scenery is much like Eastern Canada, until we begin to see some snow-capped mountains to the east. Then, as we approach the town of Villarrica, we see Volcan Villarrica and see the steam rising from the crater. It is a clear blue day and it is most impressive. We go closer and closer as we follow the shore around the lake. If we were forty years younger, we would do the climb to the crater, but, at almost seventy, it does not seem wise. Word is that the descent is more dangerous than the climb as people choose to slide down on their bottoms and can reach dangerous speeds. Sounds like fun!
The hostel we have booked is like a ski chalet in the middle of town. Luckily, we are the only occupants at the time, so the 10 plus beds upstairs are empty. We have a double bed and private bath, but we also have the large living-dining room and kitchen to ourselves. Works for me!
We find the lavaderia (to get our now bulging dirty-laundry bag emptied). It is a little expensive, but will be done today. As it turns out, everything is extremely clean and neatly folded so there is no need for ironing.
We have two days in Pucon, but, other than viewing the volcano and wandering the streets, we are not sure how we will fill two days. I guess we will call it down-time.
The hostel owner has recommended two restaurants which he feels will give us value for money. (This is definitely a tourist town and there are almost as many restaurants as there are residents! - A slight exaggeration.)
We take his advise and have a very nice dinner. We have decided to take some time tomorrow to begin planning our trip to New Zealand. Hopefully, sitting on the black sand beach, eating cheese and crackers, and sharing a bottle of wine. Hasta pronto.
Wednesday, November 17.
Two more weeks. There seems quite a bit more to do, but I think we will pack it all in. The Nasca area is the one we can’t get a lot of information about. I have saved some of my “government” money and have my “seasick” pills from New Zealand, both of which I believe will be needed if we are to take a small-plane ride to view the lines. Like Machu Picchu, these are very unique to South America. Hopefully, we will find some information when we reach Arica, the most northern city we will visit in Chile.
Peter had a restless night and I didn’t turn the TV off until midnight - I found a station with “Law & Order” in English - so we do not awaken until 9 a.m.. What a treat! As there is not a whole lot to do, I boil eggs for tomorrow, make tuna sandwiches for today, and cook eggs with a slice of cheese topping for breakfast. We have enough coffee we took from the Holiday Inn to have a mug each. Sometimes it is the little things that count.
It is an overcast day and quite cool. I feel sorry for anyone who climbs the volcano today or has this as their only day in town. By the end of the day, at least, the volcano is visible.
When we pass the City Hall, we notice there is a warning signal for the eventuality of the volcano erupting. Unfortunately, it doesn’t tell you what to do. We have to assume the volcano is monitored, as was the one on White Island in New Zealand, and the authorities would evacuate us if there is any danger. Who knows? We travel inland from the city of Concepcion which was the epi-centre of a strong earthquake earlier this year.
We are on the move again tomorrow. We need to be up early and walk, dragging our Eagle Creek suitcase and wearing our backpacks, the 15 minutes to the bus depot. Nobody would guess our age!
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