Viernes 30 de enero - Concepción a Pucon
My final morning (for now) in Tomé at Carlos' home. After a late breakfast (we did drink quite a bit last night) I am saying my goodbyes and thanks to Anna Marie and Roberto, then Carlos drives me to Concepción bus terminal. Anna Marie has made me some lunch.. sandwiches and fruit.. for my journey!
My bus to Pucon (with a change in Temuco) is at 12.30pm. I say my goodbyes to Carlos who I will be seeing again when I return after my adventures in the south of Chile.. venturing as far as Torres del Paine. During the bus journey I listen to 3 hours of Michel Thomas Spanish course, a great resource for learning the language.. check it out!
I eventually arrive in Pucon around 9pm and take a taxi to my hostel for the next 5 nights. After a week of delicious food cooked by Anna Marie, I am back to my simple (and cheap) option of pasta and tomato sauce.. with a sprinkling of packet parmesan. In my dorm I briefly meet two Finnish travellers and a Chilean traveller Pamela, then it is an early night for me.
My final morning (for now) in Tomé at Carlos' home. After a late breakfast (we did drink quite a bit last night) I am saying my goodbyes and thanks to Anna Marie and Roberto, then Carlos drives me to Concepción bus terminal. Anna Marie has made me some lunch.. sandwiches and fruit.. for my journey!
My bus to Pucon (with a change in Temuco) is at 12.30pm. I say my goodbyes to Carlos who I will be seeing again when I return after my adventures in the south of Chile.. venturing as far as Torres del Paine. During the bus journey I listen to 3 hours of Michel Thomas Spanish course, a great resource for learning the language.. check it out!
I eventually arrive in Pucon around 9pm and take a taxi to my hostel for the next 5 nights. After a week of delicious food cooked by Anna Marie, I am back to my simple (and cheap) option of pasta and tomato sauce.. with a sprinkling of packet parmesan. In my dorm I briefly meet two Finnish travellers and a Chilean traveller Pamela, then it is an early night for me.
Sabado 31 de enero - Pucon
At breakfast I speak to another of my dorm mates Sandra, a Swedish traveller, we then join Pamela and the Finnish guys to eat our food.
Around midday me and Sandra head out for a walk around Pucon and to the lake. It is a beautiful day.. blues skies. . providing great views to Vallarrica Volcano, which you can climb and I plan to do during my time here. We also see many wooden houses with Germanic influences. There is a lot of Germanic heritage in the South of Chile post World War II.
We end up at Sandra's previous hostel in Pucon called Natavia. Here I meet the friendly owner Benny and a few other travellers staying there. We are invited to a BBQ in the evening at the hostel.
Back at our hostel, we chill out. Sandra has a guitar and spends the time practising.. I also have a go. New plan = buy a small cheap guitar in Ecuador to take to the school/community I will be volunteering in during March.
Around 9pm we head back to Natavia for the BBQ. Sandra has been unwell for the past few days after having sunstroke and is still not feeling too well, but she still comes along with her guitar. The hostel is full of Israelis! They are all around 22 and have recently finished their 3 year army service (which starts at 18).. then worked to save some money before setting off to travel before they return to study at Uni for 3 years. One of them has a small guitar and we are soon listening/singing along to some well known tunes. I also meet a couple of Chilean travellers and two English girls Hollie and Claire.
The food is great, we drink beer and wine, and start play drinking games. Pamela joins us during the evening but Sandra goes back early due to her illness.
Soon 3 bottles of pisco along with ginger beer (a new combo) are bought.. oh dear.. pisco is dangerous! After consuming too much we head to a club in town. A fun night.
At breakfast I speak to another of my dorm mates Sandra, a Swedish traveller, we then join Pamela and the Finnish guys to eat our food.
Around midday me and Sandra head out for a walk around Pucon and to the lake. It is a beautiful day.. blues skies. . providing great views to Vallarrica Volcano, which you can climb and I plan to do during my time here. We also see many wooden houses with Germanic influences. There is a lot of Germanic heritage in the South of Chile post World War II.
We end up at Sandra's previous hostel in Pucon called Natavia. Here I meet the friendly owner Benny and a few other travellers staying there. We are invited to a BBQ in the evening at the hostel.
Back at our hostel, we chill out. Sandra has a guitar and spends the time practising.. I also have a go. New plan = buy a small cheap guitar in Ecuador to take to the school/community I will be volunteering in during March.
Around 9pm we head back to Natavia for the BBQ. Sandra has been unwell for the past few days after having sunstroke and is still not feeling too well, but she still comes along with her guitar. The hostel is full of Israelis! They are all around 22 and have recently finished their 3 year army service (which starts at 18).. then worked to save some money before setting off to travel before they return to study at Uni for 3 years. One of them has a small guitar and we are soon listening/singing along to some well known tunes. I also meet a couple of Chilean travellers and two English girls Hollie and Claire.
The food is great, we drink beer and wine, and start play drinking games. Pamela joins us during the evening but Sandra goes back early due to her illness.
Soon 3 bottles of pisco along with ginger beer (a new combo) are bought.. oh dear.. pisco is dangerous! After consuming too much we head to a club in town. A fun night.
Domingo 1 de febrero - Pucon
.. A terrible morning... having not drunk any water before crashing I am feeling the affects.. this is Auckland hangover mark II.. Sandra is heading to the shops and picks me up a big bottle of water.. much needed.. I'm in bed till 3pm!
A shower is followed by fruit and sandwiches. I then catch up with Sandra, filling her in about the nights events. Later I head to Natavia in order to book up the Volcano climb trip.. they have the cheapest price. I am in luck and get booked up for tomorrow. Afterwards I head to the supermarket to buy supplies for the full day activity.
At 8.30pm I return to the tourist centre next to Natavia in order to try on the gear for the Volcano climb. The shoes aren't ready to try yet so I am asked to return in an hour. On the way back to my hostel I get some choc biscuits (which I had forgotten earlier) and some yoghurts.
When I get back to my hostel I manage to trip, at a step down from the bar decking, falling and twisting my ankle in the process. Ouch! As I attempt to get up.. laughing at the incident.. I am unable to put any weight onto my ankle so stay on the floor.. oh dear.. Sandra gets me some ice from the bar and Pamela also arrives back to the hostel around the same time. It's now looking very unlikely thay I am going to be able to climb the volcano tomorrow. . A 4/5 hour ascent!
Sandra leaves to get ger night bus to Santiago so we say our goodbyes. Then after some time resting my ankle I strap it up and head back to the tourist centre with Pamela.. and now with the intention of moving my climb to Tuesday!
When I arrive the owner is telling everyone already there that the weather forecast for tomorrow is bad and firmly recommending for everyone to move to Tues. . Just as I wanted to now! Tuesday it is.. back at the hostel (after a somewhat painful walk) I again ice my ankle and rest in bed.. an early night.
Lunes 2 de febrero - Villarrica
Thankfully my ankle hasn't swollen and feels slightly better in the morning. After breakfast me and Pamela take a local bus to Vallarrica.. another nearby lake side town. There is a lot of traffic and we arrive around midday after a 45min journey.
On arrival to Vallarrica we walk down the main street to the square and town hall, buying some tasty cherries on route. We then explore the side streets which have many local pop up stalls selling wooden/woolen/handicraft items.
Next we explore the 'Centro Cultural Mapuche', seeing a replica Ruka Casa with items inside used by the Mapuche people. We stop here to eat lunch, I try a traditional corn and bean soup. We then walk down to the lake to see views of to the volcano before taking the bus back to Pucon.
Back in the hostel Pamela collects her belongings and then leaves to take her bus to Puerto Varas. I spend the rest of the afternoon chilling out and resting in preparation for the big climb tomorrow. My ankle is less painful today.
In the evening I bump into Claire and Hollie at a restaurent as I am heading back to my hostel from the tourist centre where I have tried on my gear for the climb. We catch up, and I find out that Claire will also be climbing tomorrow.
.. A terrible morning... having not drunk any water before crashing I am feeling the affects.. this is Auckland hangover mark II.. Sandra is heading to the shops and picks me up a big bottle of water.. much needed.. I'm in bed till 3pm!
A shower is followed by fruit and sandwiches. I then catch up with Sandra, filling her in about the nights events. Later I head to Natavia in order to book up the Volcano climb trip.. they have the cheapest price. I am in luck and get booked up for tomorrow. Afterwards I head to the supermarket to buy supplies for the full day activity.
At 8.30pm I return to the tourist centre next to Natavia in order to try on the gear for the Volcano climb. The shoes aren't ready to try yet so I am asked to return in an hour. On the way back to my hostel I get some choc biscuits (which I had forgotten earlier) and some yoghurts.
When I get back to my hostel I manage to trip, at a step down from the bar decking, falling and twisting my ankle in the process. Ouch! As I attempt to get up.. laughing at the incident.. I am unable to put any weight onto my ankle so stay on the floor.. oh dear.. Sandra gets me some ice from the bar and Pamela also arrives back to the hostel around the same time. It's now looking very unlikely thay I am going to be able to climb the volcano tomorrow. . A 4/5 hour ascent!
Sandra leaves to get ger night bus to Santiago so we say our goodbyes. Then after some time resting my ankle I strap it up and head back to the tourist centre with Pamela.. and now with the intention of moving my climb to Tuesday!
When I arrive the owner is telling everyone already there that the weather forecast for tomorrow is bad and firmly recommending for everyone to move to Tues. . Just as I wanted to now! Tuesday it is.. back at the hostel (after a somewhat painful walk) I again ice my ankle and rest in bed.. an early night.
Lunes 2 de febrero - Villarrica
Thankfully my ankle hasn't swollen and feels slightly better in the morning. After breakfast me and Pamela take a local bus to Vallarrica.. another nearby lake side town. There is a lot of traffic and we arrive around midday after a 45min journey.
On arrival to Vallarrica we walk down the main street to the square and town hall, buying some tasty cherries on route. We then explore the side streets which have many local pop up stalls selling wooden/woolen/handicraft items.
Next we explore the 'Centro Cultural Mapuche', seeing a replica Ruka Casa with items inside used by the Mapuche people. We stop here to eat lunch, I try a traditional corn and bean soup. We then walk down to the lake to see views of to the volcano before taking the bus back to Pucon.
Back in the hostel Pamela collects her belongings and then leaves to take her bus to Puerto Varas. I spend the rest of the afternoon chilling out and resting in preparation for the big climb tomorrow. My ankle is less painful today.
In the evening I bump into Claire and Hollie at a restaurent as I am heading back to my hostel from the tourist centre where I have tried on my gear for the climb. We catch up, and I find out that Claire will also be climbing tomorrow.
Martes 3 de febrero - Villarrica Volcano
Volcano time.. I'm up at 6am, make my lunch for the day, then have a breakfast consisting of yoghurts and a slice bread with peanut butter. I then head to the tourist centre where Claire is also arriving.
We transfer our belongings into the backpack provided, and add the top/bottoms provided which will be needed on our descent sliding down the snow! Next we put on our hiking boots needed for the climb. No one else has arrived yet!
Around 7am everyone else turns up and 20mins later we are all boarded into the minibus and on route to the base of the volcano. In the minibus we witness some horny dogs in the streets.. not great viewing.. the streets in Chile like other parts of South America are full of dogs!
It is a cloudy misty morning and we drive through the mist as we ascend through the national park to the volcano. As we reach our starting point we break through the mist and are now treated to sunshine and blue skies, below us the skyline is covered by clouds.
After departing the minibus we are each given an ice pick (attached to our bags for the time being) and are told to put on our helmets. I have a chance to take a few pictures before the climb begins.
There is an initial option to take the cable car for the first part of the climb (an extra 9000 pescos.. so around £10) or climb which takes about an hour. Me and Claire decide we are climbing the whole way.. and to me the cable car doesn't look safe or appealing! Out of the group of about 20, only 5 of us choose to trek the first part!
It is a steady ascent and the views are already stunning. After arriving at the top of the cable car route we have a 10min rest. Soon the climb begins on the ice/snow!
The views in every direction are incredible. We climb the snow covered volcano using our ice pick for support. There is one section where we walk along the side.. it is very steep..not good if you have vertigo! At this point I am ready for a break to eat but we continue.. I stuff a few biscuits down my throat and then continue a little further before we finally have a break. Then it is time to refresh and eat lots!
Ahead of us is the final hour and half ascent to the summit. After another hour we make a short stop before continuing on the final leg where we eventually reach the top and can take in the views that greet us! Wow.. what a great feeling and accomplishment. The views are worth the hard work climbing!
The way down proves to be a lot of fun as we slide down the snow witha plastic matt on our backsides.. with our ice pick to our side as a method of slowing down!! At one point ahead of me I see a big ice boulder.. ouch.
By the time we arrive back in Pucon we are all nackered!! Time to shower. Later in the evening I meet Hollie and Claire for a veggie dinner before they take their night bus to Santiago. Another great day and adventure!
Volcano time.. I'm up at 6am, make my lunch for the day, then have a breakfast consisting of yoghurts and a slice bread with peanut butter. I then head to the tourist centre where Claire is also arriving.
We transfer our belongings into the backpack provided, and add the top/bottoms provided which will be needed on our descent sliding down the snow! Next we put on our hiking boots needed for the climb. No one else has arrived yet!
Around 7am everyone else turns up and 20mins later we are all boarded into the minibus and on route to the base of the volcano. In the minibus we witness some horny dogs in the streets.. not great viewing.. the streets in Chile like other parts of South America are full of dogs!
It is a cloudy misty morning and we drive through the mist as we ascend through the national park to the volcano. As we reach our starting point we break through the mist and are now treated to sunshine and blue skies, below us the skyline is covered by clouds.
After departing the minibus we are each given an ice pick (attached to our bags for the time being) and are told to put on our helmets. I have a chance to take a few pictures before the climb begins.
There is an initial option to take the cable car for the first part of the climb (an extra 9000 pescos.. so around £10) or climb which takes about an hour. Me and Claire decide we are climbing the whole way.. and to me the cable car doesn't look safe or appealing! Out of the group of about 20, only 5 of us choose to trek the first part!
It is a steady ascent and the views are already stunning. After arriving at the top of the cable car route we have a 10min rest. Soon the climb begins on the ice/snow!
The views in every direction are incredible. We climb the snow covered volcano using our ice pick for support. There is one section where we walk along the side.. it is very steep..not good if you have vertigo! At this point I am ready for a break to eat but we continue.. I stuff a few biscuits down my throat and then continue a little further before we finally have a break. Then it is time to refresh and eat lots!
Ahead of us is the final hour and half ascent to the summit. After another hour we make a short stop before continuing on the final leg where we eventually reach the top and can take in the views that greet us! Wow.. what a great feeling and accomplishment. The views are worth the hard work climbing!
The way down proves to be a lot of fun as we slide down the snow witha plastic matt on our backsides.. with our ice pick to our side as a method of slowing down!! At one point ahead of me I see a big ice boulder.. ouch.
By the time we arrive back in Pucon we are all nackered!! Time to shower. Later in the evening I meet Hollie and Claire for a veggie dinner before they take their night bus to Santiago. Another great day and adventure!
Tomorrow I will take the bus to Valdivia.
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