It takes us a day to get to Pucon, chile. A day because we allowed ourself to stop on the way to enjoy the scenery, also because crossing the border does take time. It is forbidden to take food across to chile. It means that a thorough search of the truck was done by customs officers. They found an apple and 4 eggs but no one got arrested....
Activities in Pucon are similar to Bariloche but the real deal is climbing the Villarica volcano. It has the particularity of having a glacier on it. It means that the climb consist of 1000m of iced snow going from 1800m to 2800m following a 15mins ski-lift section. We were given special equipment which includes jacket, trousers, shoes, helmet and crampons. We were even given a rucksack.
The climb takes 4 hours including around 40 mins stop. It isn’t extremely hard but it can be a little dounting looking up, specialy since the further you go, the stipper it gets. It is a great feeling once you get to the top. We were also very lucky with the weather as the clouds stayed in the valley. I realised then that it’s been a long time since I’ve been skiing.
The other great thing about the volcano is that we were given “pancake” sledges. A round piece of plastic with a handle. It was so much fun sliding all the way down.
It’s only once we got back that I found out Celine had given birth to an healthy 3.6kg little girl named Lilly!!
I must say that it will remain one of the trip highlight and it made nye a really special day!!
For the dinner, Pete and co made another feast with 3 different meat cooked on bbq. Champagne was in the ice ready for midnight. I opened my bottle with a kitchen knife which brought a general cheer! Following the climbing, it didn’t take long until we were all in bed but what a day!
New Year’s Day was a lot more quiet. The day was warm and sunny. I did a bit of laundry, found wifi to see the first picture of Lilly, then I went to the beach by the lake to enjoy the sun...
On the 2nd, it was time to say Pucon goodbye and hit the road again. We stayed at a campsite for the night that was facing local waterfalls.
On the way to Santiago, we had the chance to visit 2 vineyards and have a taste of chilean wines. First was a small vineyard producing 8 millions liters a year called Balduzzi. The second was called San Pedro which belongs to CCU, an important Chilean brewery. It produces 40 million liters of wine a year from table wines to grand reserva.
Even though we could have got to Santiago in a day, we decided to stop 300km south to camp. As we were in central Santiago, we enjoyed a night in an hotel which was the first time since... El Calafate. Hot shower, comfy bed and a wander in town were the highlights of that 1 day.
5th January
We are leaving Chile and crossing the border to Argentina for the last time. It means we will hit the 3000m mark on the Andes roads. We will arrive in Mendoza where we will be staying for 2 days. As we arrive on Saturday and there is no early start planned on Sunday I am hoping we’ll have a “good strong” night out. Sunday should then be about walking around town. Monday will be about wine tasting in a region that produces 70% of Argentinian wine!
En route to Mendoza
The road to Mendoza was breathtaking as expected. I didn’t feel we were that high but we definetly went over 3000m (3180m to be excat). I guess the lack of snow didn’t make it real. Landscapes after passing the chile border were absolutely incredible. Despite having planned a snooze in preparation for the evening, I just couldn’t close my eyes. I couldn’t miss a bit of the surroundings.
We eventually made it to Mendoza. Although plans were to camp, we ended up sleeping in an hotel in the middle of the town. It gave us a rush of adrenaline as we had to unload bags while illegally parked in the middle of the traffic.
First thing I can say is that weather is hot! We worked out that temperature was still above 30c at 11pm. As you can expect it, streets are still very busy, bar terrasses full until late, very late....
After gathering informations from books and locals, we decided to hit one of the 3 main streets for restaurant. We then went to a gay bar doing drag’s shows. More than a show, it was more of 2 comperes. It was real fun with few of us trying pole dancing and Duncan winning a bottle of bubbly for is legendary Gangnam Style dance routine! After a bit of dance floor exercise, some of us made a move to the Por Aca, a bar known for being open late, playing great old rock/pop classics. After few minutes of negociation, we made it in and boy, what a place. It isn’t big but the atmosphere was brilliant. Great music, studenty corwd and very friendly staff, giving away free shots “free pouring” style. I ended up going to bed at 7.30am! It was great to party with locals which is something we haven’t done much for the moment.
Sunday was very chilled with a walk in town leading me to San Martin park. In the evening, we went for a drink then restaurant and last drink. It was 3am before we knew it.
Monday, we went on a wine tasting. We visited 2 vineyards plus one doing sweet sparkling wines and aperitif wines like Muscat and Marsala. Last but not least, we visited an olive oil factory followed by tasting of olive oil, olives and different types of tapenade.
Sunday night, we went for a farewell drink with one of the crew member. We then split, all going to different restaurant. I, along with Heather and Lisa, went to a great mediterranean restaurant called the Florencia. Super friendly staff, great atmosphere with a big kitchen/grill area that you can see from the street.
9th january:
Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to Mendoza and keep heading north towards Aguazu falls. it means 3 days in the truck to get to Esteros El Ibera Park first. We will experience our first encounter with wild life...
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