We took the bus at 11:00 from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales. We arrived at the bus station at 14:00. We walked to our hotel and spent the afternoon asking around about Torres del Paine National Park and shopping.
Silke
Punta Arenas – Magdalena, Penguins – Marta , Sea lions
At 6:00 am we walked to the agency to start the tour to the Magellanic penguins on Magdalena. At sunrise at 7:30 am our bus arrived at the boat dock. With about 50 people we went leisurely in 70 min on the “Carlos III” to the offshore island. On the way the crew members called us to the roof of the boat because whales were sighted. And indeed we saw whales surfacing a few times on the left and right. Docked on the island, we are allowed to stay for one hour, walking once to the lighthouse and back on a marked path. This is plenty of time.
Along the way, we encountered numerous young penguins that will have shed their “baby feathers” in the next few weeks to then follow their parents into the sea. Next September (in Chile spring) the penguins will come back to breed here. The penguins find the tourists at least as interesting as we find the cute animals. It’s very noisy and busy on the barren island, which looks a bit like a Swiss cheese, so riddled with holes.
After our visit, we were very happy that it seems to be ok for the penguins to have “visitors” too. Afterwards, thanks to the good weather, we could still visit Marta Island with its huge sea lion and cormorant colony. There we did not go ashore, but watched the animals from the roof of the boat. On the way back, around lunchtime, we dropped off at the edge of town to roam the stores in the duty-free area. In an outdoor store we found a long sought after immersion heater. Now that there have been several accommodations without a kettle and I sent our old one with us to Germany! In the evening we prepared spaghetti with tomato sauce and iceberg lettuce with lemon to us.
Silke
Pucon – Punta Arenas – Travel day – Easter bunnies without faces
Bye, Elementos Eco Lodge in Pucon! Sarina, Nayeli, Kati, Lulu and Aruna, we felt like “at home” with you. Thank you very much! The cab ride to the airport went without any problems. The flight from Temuco to Punta Arenas took 2h and 38 min. The planes are constantly flying back and forth. Almost like buses. In Punta Arenas we got with a Collectivo well into our accommodation, a small apartment (Departamentos Ejecutivos Jamboree) near the city center. Here you can look far over the sea again. In the supermarket we discovered the first chocolate bunnies. Curiously, they all have no face.
In the afternoon we booked a tour and bought some groceries. In the evening we cooked mushroom pan and mashed potatoes. Then we played some Carcassonne again.
Silke
Pucon – Araucania – Termas los Pozones
Today we started the hike in the “Santuario el Cani”. It went steeply uphill over dirt roads and serpentines. We hiked 5,5 km up to 1320 meters of altitude and saw there a wonderful place with the imposing up to 2000 years old araucanias, which already existed in the times of the dinosaurs. In “Mapudungen”, the language of the Mapuche, this tree is called “PEWEN”. The seeds of the trees can be cooked to many dishes. Unfortunately, the trees are almost threatened with extinction, because they grow only in a few regions and slowly. Therefore, they are specially protected.
We encountered few people along the way. Small colorful iguanas were sunning themselves on the tree trunks. The descent was almost at a run (steep!). In the evening we drove to the thermal bath “Los Pozones”. Approx 36 km from Pucon away. Against 8000 CLP entrance one can use these naturally heated, mineral-rich, from natural stone built pools for 3 hours. Just the thing after a strenuous hike.
With the moon full, we headed back to Pucon. We had dinner together with Kati (Sarina’s co-worker) and then fell tired into bed
Silke
Pucon – Vulcano Tour
Today we hiked the Trail of the Craters with guide Pablo and a Dutch couple in Villarrica National Park. We learned a lot about the volcanic landscape, flora and fauna. Delicious berries lined the side of the trail.
Part of the trail went through a forest where wild fuchsias grew, among other things.
Since the Dutch guest was not so good on foot and it went over hill and dale, we progressed quite slowly. At the destination, several mini craters were waiting for us, which were created by gas deflagrations of the lava flows. One could recognize well the “chimneys” ( exit holes ). Afterwards we cooked a polenta casserole with pumpkin, zucchini and peppers. For dessert we had apple strudel with vanilla ice cream. We are doing really well here!
Silke
Pucon – Rest day
Today we took a rest day. Washed laundry, and did a little research. Reiner stayed in his room because of a headache. In the evening I made raclette with colorful potatoes with Sarina, Nayeli and two Chilean guests. Also the weather was rather overcast today and from the afternoon it rained.
Silke
Pucon – Volcano Villarrica – Downward on the seat of the pants
This morning the alarm clock rang again “before we got up”. At 6:00 am we had to be in Pucon in front of the travel agency “Turismo Pucón” to climb the volcano Villarrica with a group of 7 tourists and 3 guides. Yesterday evening at the booking we already tried on the equipment. Jacket, pants, slide pants, plastic slide, gaiters, shoes, wool gloves, waterproof gloves, gas mask, helmet, ice axe, spikes, possibly sunglasses and a backpack will be provided to each participant. Our Abgentur had already somewhat older material, but technically fully ok. Drinks, fruit and sandwiches were brought by everyone. (Total costs 70.000 CPL pP. varies from agency to agency). Reiner and I have decided at short notice but to put on our own hiking boots, after the guide has shown us that the spikes do not scratch the upper leather.
Shortly after 6:00 am we drove in the van about 40 min to the national park and climbed up to the first stage in strong wind and in the dark. When it is less windy, there is also a chairlift in operation there that saves you the first hour of climbing for 10,000 CLP. We did not have this option today. At the top station of the lift was then our first short break. The guides were very competent and super nice. In Spanish and English everything was explained in detail and evenly without hurry or driving in single file it went up the mountain. At the third rest stop before the glacier ice we put on our overpants and spikes. At the fourth rest stop, a Chilean couple decided to break off and turn back. A guide walked down with them. The rest of us tackled the last two stages and reached the summit after nearly 5 hours. Thunder and smoke greeted us as a reward for the effort. And of course an amazing panoramic view! Each group is allowed only a few minutes to linger at the crater rim. After that we started the descent again. At the snow line, we put on our slide gear and the guide taught us the driving and braking technique with ice axe.
Partly very fast but sometimes also slowly it went downhill. Also the last ice-free distance could be run downhill very well and so we reached in 2 hours again the valley station and were at 16:20 o’clock back in Pucon. There was a beer and a piece of pizza for everyone. Back at Sarina’s “Elementos Eco Lodge” we cooked broccoli with pasta together and let the day end with a nice dinner.
Silke
Pucon – Car return – City stroll
First of all, we could sleep in today and then got a delicious breakfast with, among other things, six different jams, fresh scrambled eggs and homemade bread.
With bright sunshine we could enjoy the view of the Villarrica. In the afternoon we dropped off our car and walked a bit through Pucon. A really pretty place with lots of log houses. We booked a tour and extended the internet for the smartphone. In the evening Sarina cooked delicious for us! Quinoa with grilled vegetables, avocado dip and optional fish.
Silke