6 Feb - Puerto Montt, more spectacular landscapes, great food and copious amounts of Pisco Sour! (pictures and tale later)

Yesterday we had the best day yet. 

We landed at Puerto Montt and went to see one of the volcanoes in a region full of volcanoes, lakes and ice. The journey up was scary as we ascended 2 kilometers by coach up very narrow winding roads. As I looked out of the window I saw clouds beneath me!!! 

We couldn't have asked for better weather - the sun was shining and it was crystal clear - the region has rain almost daily so it was unusual. The landscape changed from lush green forest to stark sulphur yellowed scrub and finally the barren slopes of the volcano with black and dark red pumis everywhere. The mountain is snow capped and ideal for skiers in the winter months but only the very top has snow now. 

Interestingly, Ann noticed fuchsia growing up there and the indestructible lupin which seems to be everywhere in South America (try growing them at home). The volcano is dormant - the last eruption being early 1900s. Of the other volcanoes around they give out puffs of smoke at regular intervals during the day and some people saw these - we didn't. 

It was very dramatic and Ann actually looked over the edge down at clouds!!!!! The journey down was worse than the one up and my ears were blocked for a few hours afterwards. Well worth a visit and some good pictures too (see below). 

After this we went to a local restaurant and sampled the local produce - fish - salmon - the region is noted for its salmon and most of the population are involved in its production at some point. It was flavoursome and very filling. We had cheese pasties with it and these little meat parcels which were nice (I told Ann they were made from Yak testicles) - also an onion and parsley type relish, potatoes and a cute parcel of mixed vegatables. This was all washed down with the local firewater pisco sour and many bottles of wine. Everyone was more than happy when we left. We sat at a table with 3 others and the person sat next to me was from Carlton in Nottingham would you believe?!! It's a small world isn't it??

We then went on to the 'City of Roses' - never found out why it was called this - there was a beach there and an open market selling all sorts of jewelry - Ann bought a few bits and was well ripped off me thinks, as I overheard her bargaining technique:

Seller: "It cost 20 dollars, but I discount for you pretty lady, only 12 dollars"

Ann: "OK, I'll give you 16 dollars"

DOH! the bloke thought it was Christmas...

What the hey - think of the poor children!! 

So far we have both enjoyed Chile immensely - a land of stark contrasts and wild beauty - from flat dry steppes to lush green forests waterfalls and volcanic backdrops to magnificent glaciers - it truly is a beautiful place - the people seem friendly too. 

I would think that most of the places we have seen from the ship are totally inaccessible from land and indeed have not even had a human footprint set upon them. If I was young I would like to come here and explore the place further. The houses are made of wood and brightly painted - very simple. It has been interesting looking at some of the graffiti on our travels. I saw a painting of the statue of Liberty on one house and in her hand instead of the torch of freedom she held dripping bloody heads. There does seem to be a lot of anti American slogans also anti Semitic... 

Ann bought some lovely icons in a holy shop of the local saints - unfortunately I lost the bag somewhere along with some Indian artifacts - I'm really mad about that but never mind. (I'm sure it was Ann's fault). As we are moving further up the coast the weather is getting slightly warmer - 18 degrees today. We still have got lots of things to see and do. 

The cabin has become a home from home - the ships constant movement puts you to sleep at night and wakes you up in the mornings - what a strange life.

Well that's all the news for now - our next stop is Valparaiso where the final leg of the journey/voyage will start, last stop LA...

More Later...

First stop (10 minutes) at some spectacular waterfalls on the Petrohue River with the Osorno Volcano in the background.

Thunderous noise and flying spray.

View from the lake

View from the top

View from the forest

Ann... Pisco'ed by the free Pisco Sour!

Safely back in the Golden Lion... ah, now who's round is it???

Visiting Puerto Montt, Chile - Options for an EIGHT hour Visit!
If the average weather records are anything to go by, it's likely to be warmish.

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