This beautiful area 1000km south of Santiago has its hidden dangers - many of the buildings were demolished in the 1960 terremoto or earthquake. There are now signs telling you where to run to.
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| Valdivia |
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| Niebla |
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
The Chilean Lake District
Thinking of Loved ones back home!
There comes a certain time when travelling when the mind starts to wander towards those we are missing back home.
And so that moment arose when we reached the river port town of Valdivia.
Standing on the river bank, taking in the unique view, provided a poignant reminder of the loving wife I´d left behind in Birmingham.......
But what could possibly have prompted me of her charm, affection and mannerisms?......
After my previous posts to this blog, some warned me against going on any more extreme activities.
However, you must appreciate I am very experienced to the ultimate type of extreme activity....
Wife-Baiting (Safer to participate from afar!)
And so that moment arose when we reached the river port town of Valdivia.
Standing on the river bank, taking in the unique view, provided a poignant reminder of the loving wife I´d left behind in Birmingham.......
But what could possibly have prompted me of her charm, affection and mannerisms?......
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| The resemblance s quite uncanny! |
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| Along with the posture! |
After my previous posts to this blog, some warned me against going on any more extreme activities.
However, you must appreciate I am very experienced to the ultimate type of extreme activity....
Wife-Baiting (Safer to participate from afar!)
Chilean Wine Tasting
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| Pisco Sour |
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| One of the better wines from Concha y Torro |
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| Grahame´s seafood platter eventually defeated him |
Monday, 28 May 2012
Showers & Hot Baths
Being a volcanic region, Pucon boasts a multitude of thermal springs.
However, before we could enjoy the environment of relaxation promoted, we had to endure a severe soaking in the heaviest rain we have experienced here to date......
But, it was a price worth paying to enjoy a hot bath outside in the continuing rain, sharing the whole resort with just a couple of American students and an ageing hippy/philosopher!
In fact, the rain added to the whole experience, particularly since it was not that cold when we emerged from our wallowing in these natural hot tubs.
The setting was quite amazing, with a river closely raging past and all around a beautiful steep valley sporting its Autumn colours.
However, before we could enjoy the environment of relaxation promoted, we had to endure a severe soaking in the heaviest rain we have experienced here to date......
But, it was a price worth paying to enjoy a hot bath outside in the continuing rain, sharing the whole resort with just a couple of American students and an ageing hippy/philosopher!
In fact, the rain added to the whole experience, particularly since it was not that cold when we emerged from our wallowing in these natural hot tubs.
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| Bathing in the rain |
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| Yours truly enjoying a hot bath |
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| Beautiful Autumn Setting |
How could we have been so Irresponsible?
It all started out in the interests of having a bit of fun and excitement.....
Two middle-aged guys, away from their loving families, taking on the challenge of the torrents of glacial waters flowing down from the mighty Andes Mountains.
Everything started off so calmly. We were even impressed by the professionalism of the rafting operator as they handed out life jackets, in addition to the disclaimer forms!
Alas, the tranquil waters of our starting point on the river severely masked the dangers lurking ahead......
Two middle-aged guys, away from their loving families, taking on the challenge of the torrents of glacial waters flowing down from the mighty Andes Mountains.
Everything started off so calmly. We were even impressed by the professionalism of the rafting operator as they handed out life jackets, in addition to the disclaimer forms!
Alas, the tranquil waters of our starting point on the river severely masked the dangers lurking ahead......
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| Nick modelling all the latest safety gear Chile has to offer |
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| Now testing that safety gear |
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| Should we request a refund? |
Having now created the suspense, I guess you´re maybe inquisitive as to the identity of this sorry individual above.
The good news (for me anyway!) is that "lightning doesn¨t strike twice"!
Even more good news is that I will not feel obliged to hang around a local hospital for Nick!
So, we can both move on with our trek southwards...........
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Avoiding Another Insurance Claim!
Having fractured my right hip skiing in Spain last January, my good wife, Louise, sent me off on this trip with clear instructions, "No Skiing"! A bit harsh and autocratic maybe, but that´s just her way!
Therefore, quite obediently, we have resisted the temptation to visit any of the numerous ski resorts Chile has had to offer along our journey south so far.
Instead, we have now ended up at Pucon, the outdoor adventure capital of Chile´s lake district!
However, low season, effectively means that there´s virtually nobody else around and we´re holed up in our cosy little hostel watching the torrential rain and winds outside! You may think that this makes this place as appealling as a wet weekend in Southend, but we´re not going to be deterred by a bit of adverse weather.
Our initial plan was scuppered by the confirmation that all trips to the active volcano rim had been cancelled. So we immediately reconsidered our options over a beer or two, and decided to try and book the rafting and thermal springs excursions......Obviously, it was Nick who cagolled me into the rafting!
With all the rain, there have been doubts as to the suitability of the river. Our other problem is in the agent finding enough othervictims people to make up the minimum number for a raft. We were supposed to go at 11 am this morning, but this has now been put back to 3 pm. In the meantime, we have trudged round town, which gave us the opportunity to check out the local hospital!
This could be a real test of friendship if one of us were to have a mishap whilst rafting.......Would either one of us stay put in this town (obviously waiting for the respective wife to come rushing to their hospital bed) or simply move on so as not to miss the ferry booking next Friday?
Therefore, quite obediently, we have resisted the temptation to visit any of the numerous ski resorts Chile has had to offer along our journey south so far.
Instead, we have now ended up at Pucon, the outdoor adventure capital of Chile´s lake district!
However, low season, effectively means that there´s virtually nobody else around and we´re holed up in our cosy little hostel watching the torrential rain and winds outside! You may think that this makes this place as appealling as a wet weekend in Southend, but we´re not going to be deterred by a bit of adverse weather.
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| Cold & Wet in Downtown Pucon |
Our initial plan was scuppered by the confirmation that all trips to the active volcano rim had been cancelled. So we immediately reconsidered our options over a beer or two, and decided to try and book the rafting and thermal springs excursions......Obviously, it was Nick who cagolled me into the rafting!
With all the rain, there have been doubts as to the suitability of the river. Our other problem is in the agent finding enough other
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| Nick in the Clouds |
This could be a real test of friendship if one of us were to have a mishap whilst rafting.......Would either one of us stay put in this town (obviously waiting for the respective wife to come rushing to their hospital bed) or simply move on so as not to miss the ferry booking next Friday?
Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Jet Lag in Santiago
Quite surprisingly, I felt pretty good after my 16 hours flying from the UK (via a changeover in Paris), having slept most of the night flight. In stark contrast, Nick was still very much struggling to come to terms with his jet lag, having crossed a mere 14 hours of time zones!
Accordingly, we had a gentle start to the trip, exploring the capital city, Santiago, yesterday - A pleasant enough place with an impressive backdrop of the snow-capped Andes, though not overly amazing.
Nonetheless, a good place to catch up over some good food and wine.....
Accordingly, we had a gentle start to the trip, exploring the capital city, Santiago, yesterday - A pleasant enough place with an impressive backdrop of the snow-capped Andes, though not overly amazing.
Nonetheless, a good place to catch up over some good food and wine.....
And for the really sad, to check e-mails at the hotel!
Monday, 21 May 2012
A Friend in Need!
As I prepare to fly off to Chile this evening, you may well ask whether this is yet another extravagent holiday.
Certainly not! This is purely a selfless act of helping a friend in need, who coincidently also needed to escape from his own family!
Nick Terry, a long-standing family friend, now lives and works in Brisbane, Australia. Around 2 months ago, he e-mailed me with the news that he had suddenly been made redundant and had decided to take three months out to recharge his batteries and to spend more time with his wife, Liz, and three lovely daughters.
To my surprise, he also came up with the proposition of meeting up in Chile for a couple of weeks....
He may well profess to be enjoying the Aussie lifestyle (with his Tom Daly impression above), but I can't see him sporting that gear in the icy fjords of Chile!
In spite of still recovering from a fractured hip from a skiing accident back in January, how could I decline that heartfelt and desperate plea for help?......and allow him to drink beers all alone in those Santiago bars!
So, a plan slowly started to evolve. Whilst I had previously visited Chile very briefly (23 years ago!), I didn't really know much about the country....apart from General Pinochet, the wine and more recently, the rescue of trapped miners.
However, now I am looking forward to finding out what a diverse country it really is. One particular highlight should be our 4 day ferry trip which takes us through the fjords and past glaciers almost to the southern tip of the continent.
Apart from that, I must admit that Nick has done all the hard grafting in researching where to go and making the appropriate bookings. However, I still enjoy the freedom of just turning up in a new place and sorting out where to stay on arrival.
Once again, my main concern is how my own girls will cope over the next weeks without me! At least it will provide a temporary boom in the local economy with all that extra business for the Kings Heath & Moseley take-aways!
Certainly not! This is purely a selfless act of helping a friend in need, who coincidently also needed to escape from his own family!
Nick Terry, a long-standing family friend, now lives and works in Brisbane, Australia. Around 2 months ago, he e-mailed me with the news that he had suddenly been made redundant and had decided to take three months out to recharge his batteries and to spend more time with his wife, Liz, and three lovely daughters.
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| Nick (Obviously in his Younger Days!) |
To my surprise, he also came up with the proposition of meeting up in Chile for a couple of weeks....
He may well profess to be enjoying the Aussie lifestyle (with his Tom Daly impression above), but I can't see him sporting that gear in the icy fjords of Chile!
In spite of still recovering from a fractured hip from a skiing accident back in January, how could I decline that heartfelt and desperate plea for help?......and allow him to drink beers all alone in those Santiago bars!
So, a plan slowly started to evolve. Whilst I had previously visited Chile very briefly (23 years ago!), I didn't really know much about the country....apart from General Pinochet, the wine and more recently, the rescue of trapped miners.
However, now I am looking forward to finding out what a diverse country it really is. One particular highlight should be our 4 day ferry trip which takes us through the fjords and past glaciers almost to the southern tip of the continent.
Apart from that, I must admit that Nick has done all the hard grafting in researching where to go and making the appropriate bookings. However, I still enjoy the freedom of just turning up in a new place and sorting out where to stay on arrival.
Once again, my main concern is how my own girls will cope over the next weeks without me! At least it will provide a temporary boom in the local economy with all that extra business for the Kings Heath & Moseley take-aways!
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