18 Feb - Captains Log

Captains Blog: 18 February in the year two thousand and twelve.

It has been a crazy week in Pucon, where friends were made and adventures were had.  To ensure that a moment is not missed, we pick up our tale where we left it…

On arrival in Pucon at 0730, we soon realised that we had failed to ‘chase’ the summers and were required to extract every piece of warm clothing we could locate (later we would find ourselves buying gloves and warmer hiking socks for the trek up the snow peaked volcano).  No sooner were we rugged up in thermals and polar fleeces, the weather changed and we were sweating in the beaming sun, then drenched by torrential rain and blown down the street by gale force winds.  It was really just like being back in Melbourne but with nice things to look at and a complete lack of understanding of the locals (although with all the hipsters in Melbourne we were starting to feel pretty out of place there too).

One of many shots of the Volcano.

Stocking up on warm weather gear!

Some of the berries on offer (this photo is clearly for Anastasia's viewing pleasure)

Chile has an amazing network of first class buses. The bus ride down, was as close to amaze-balls as you can get when travelling via bus, with comfort offered at reasonable prices and definitely worth the investment for 10 hour bus rides. If required, you can even go more posh than “semi-cama” seats and get a full bed experience similar to a first class flight.

Reclining in "semi-cama" class.

Marc and the squirrel on the bus.

Obligatory photo out of bus window on our arrival into Pucon.

Hostel La Maison delivered on the friendliness and homely atmosphere described in the blogs and hostelworld reviews. Our host, Etienne, after picking us up from the Bus station at 0730, drove us through the town of Pucon ensuring we knew all the places to visit and where would be best to eat, drink and participate in adventure activities.

The main house of Hostal La Maison 

Our cottage.

Relaxing outside our cottage with our host Etienne

During our stay at La Maison, we made many new friends due to the welcoming atmosphere and relaxed hostel style. Toward the end of our stay we had a lovely night of drinks and joviality which started with Leigh, Etienne and myself, however, quickly evolved to include other friends including cousins Daniel and Nicolas from Chile and Thomas and Miriam from Switzerland. This night concluded with the plan to have a BBQ in the following days.

Whilst Leigh had her afternoon siesta Friday evening (I finally woke her around 11PM) us boys went shopping at 8pm to purchase necessary meat and salads for the BBQ.   By the time everything was prepared (without the help of Leigh who was still napping) dinner was ready to eat around 11.30 (and wrapped up at the very civil hour of 3am).  The meat ended up being both tender and delicious with it being prepared to Chilean BBQ standards. The evening was a fantastic blend of cultures, conversation, food and wine.

The spread

The Chilean side

The Swiss Side

  

Volcano – Villarrica

This beast of a mountain was 2850M high and with its own micro-climate is always a hard one to pick. On our first morning to climb the over sized boulder, we woke at the ungodly hour of 6AM (we are on holidays supposedly) and caught the bus to the base of the volcano.

Unfortunately, after much discussion, it was decided that we may not reach the top, due to the weather forecast and returned home. Later we discovered the 3 people that decided to climb anyway had made it all the way to the summit.

Freezing at the base of the volcano

Determined the following day to make it, I returned the next day without the wife with another 6am start. The guides had ‘high hopes’ and predicted a ‘good chance’ of making it too the summit, and the group of 20 set off.  It was a wonderful experience for me, as I have had very little experience dealing with ice and snow, however, was able to get up close to some glaciers and even got to slide down on my feet during the decent!

Unfortunately, we never made it too the top, with the weather turning bad towards the end of the trip and prevented us going above 2250m.  And yes all 20 hikers returned with all limbs attached.

Alternate Activities

After the first failed volcano hike, Leigh and I quickly prioritised our next activity. For Leigh, it included a strenuous bus trip to a thermal hot springs resort (with obligatory massage) and I went off canyoning in the chilly waters.

Luckily, we had met two great People – Dor and Mor – from Israel who also did not get up the volcano but where in similar minds as Leigh and I. After a short discussion, Dor and I headed for Canyoning adventure, whilst Leigh and Mor headed for the Pucon pampering centre.

Relaxing at Terma Huife

Where the locals like to cool off after frolicking in the hot springs.

Terma Huife

View down into the hot springs and of lovely round Chilean ladies.

The super attractive Mor.

The canyoning was a good experience, and I definitely look forward to the next adrenaline rush. Unfortunately, the helmet camera I was wearing did not record the more exciting parts of this trip including a 15meter rock jump, but did manage to capture the slower parts of the trip.

Termas Geometrica

The thermal hot springs to end all hot springs! This delightful place, recommended to us by Etienne, was on the map so we hired a car and headed to Termas Geometricas. (Insert web link)

Luckily the initial Toyota Yaris we were going to hire broke overnight and we got a Ute to get there. After driving over 30km on dirt roads, I don’t think the Yaris would have survived the trip too well and was thankful for the spot of luck.

But thermal springs can be thermal springs, so I think it is best we just let our ‘average photos’ do the talking….

On our way to Termas Geometricas, stopping at one of the many beautiful lakes.

Marc driving like the locals, i.e., like a mad man.

Some more ok looking scenery.

The walkways through the hot springs

Marc's good friend Jorge.

Pucon is a gem of a town, and with its adventure sports, array of restaurants and friendly community, it is definitely somewhere we would come back to. I may also need to return as a matter of pride to ensure I make it too the summit!