Hello again! Picture-a-day starts now, but we have to get caught up first so let's pick up after I left Puerto Natales after completing The W in Torres del Paine. I hopped a bus to El Calafate, Argentina. This was my first time in Argentina! I'm excited to go back later this year. I took a plane to Bariloche, a city on the Chile/Argentina boarder in the lakes region.
I met Caitlin, one of last year's ChACE teachers that has signed on for a second year, in Bariloche. Our first day there we rented bikes and rode the "Circuito Chico," or the small circuit. We were pelted with rain the whole time but the views of the lakes were still spectacular. Caitlin says she likes the rain. I sure hope so because we've had rain every day for the last week.
Bariloche is well known for its chocolatiers. We got a variety box and some hot chocolate. Good stuff.
On day 2 we went on a great 8 hour day hike. It started with a ride up a chairlift at a ski resort. We then hiked to a camping refugio, down to a beach, and on to a waterfall.
We saw a very curious fox along the way! He stuck with us for maybe 500 meters.
The hike to the refugio was very interesting. It was a very rocky trail perforated with hidden lakes.
Here I am at the lake next to Refugio Frey. Very different geography than what I saw in Torres del Paine.
The end of the hike was at Cascada de los Duendes, or Waterfall of the Elves.
After our long hike we went to an epic steakhouse called El Boliche de Alberto. Who knew that a "full portion" of steak would be 3 filet mignon? I wasn't complaining. They were the best steaks I've ever eaten. SO good.
On Ash Wednesday we took a tour of a chocolate factory and museum. It was pretty cool. They had lots of animals sculpted out of chocolate.
We went to the Ash Wednesday service at the cathedral in Bariloche. The use of stone here was beautiful.
The following morning we began our crossing back into Chile. It consisted of 4 buses and 3 boats across 3 different lakes from Bariloche to Puerto Varas. The rain was pretty rough but it was still incredible!
I didn't spend much time on the deck on the first lake because of the weather but they had crackers to feed the sea gulls--I couldn't pass up that opportunity!
Lake number 2, "Lago Frios" which means cold lake. I didn't test the water but the rain was cold!
The next bus took us cross the boarder. Here I am with one foot in Chile and one in Argentina. We ate our lunch very quickly on the bus because we were worried they would take it away at the boarder. We did manage to smuggle in some Argentinian empanadas though :)
Our last stop on land was for about 4 hours. The direction sign is to distinguish which way to go depending on which way you were doing the crossing. Some ate lunch, some checked out the huge hotel in the pass, and I took a nap by a waterfall. It was great.
The last lake easily had the best weather and scenery. The sheer mountains plunging into the water were striking. Lago Todo los Santos is as deep as 325 meters. I was most surprised at the calm waters across the whole lake even though it was mid afternoon. Thee mountains keep it protected all the time. It was just begging for water skiers!
You can't tell because of the clouds but there is a huge and impressive volcano behind me, Volcan Osorno. It has a beautiful snowy cone when it's clear.
That night was spent in Puerto Varas. Yesterday we arrived in Chiloé where we're staying one more night then flying to Rio tomorrow. Watch for post about Chiloé soon including delicious Curanto and kayaking at dawn! Happy Valentines Day from Chile; I love you all!
No comments:
Post a Comment