Sunday 19th March 2017
Second day of the ‘transfer’, but only one boat running per
day now – leaving around 4pm. So Loretta and I went horse-riding. Paid 20,000 pesos – about £18 each. Collected
by 3x guys in a pick-up, then off down the dusty track road to a farm. Nice
horses, my one was called ‘Toomotto.. something’ (probably meant mad bastard
who eats tourists). Actually he was quite nice with a semi-western saddle
padded with sheep skin and covered stirrups. We were given chaps to wear and
crash helmets which was at least a nod to safety. Then we were off with just
Loretta and I and the two guides, Pablo and Haimi (sp? Think that James
derivative). Lovely walk through a farm
with Alpacas and Emu, and past an airfield with small plane taking off, which
luckily didn’t spook the horses.
Continued down to the river and through the river for a bit of a
splash/drink. The return was through such a dense primeval looking forest, that
although Loretta and Haimi were only a few metres ahead, once they had gone
around a tree, I couldn’t see or hear them at all. The ride was about an hour
and a half, and on the way back we asked to go faster. In broken English they advised that galloping
was not a good idea as the horses ‘no stop’.
As Pablo had spent most of the ride bouncing side-ways, then we asked
for a canter instead. This ended up as an extremely bouncy sitting trot with no
sign of a next gear unless galloping. Haimi was bouncing so much he lost his
hat and glasses, so we called a halt to inflicted pain and settled for an amble
home. Very nice ride. 
Re-joined Iain by a small beach/marina with waterfall and
various boats under repair. He’d been happily taking photos all day.
Back for a nice lunch served again by Ben Elton – food was
salads, French onion soup, spaghetti Bolognese – type fare. And of course, Pisco Sours.
Left for Petrohue by boat across Lago Todos Los Santos,
passing the Osorno volcano which was crystal clear with again another perfect
day. Then by bus to Puerto Varas which took about two hours. There was a break
to look at some waterfalls, but Loretta and I stayed put and Iain paid the $7
park fee. When Gunna returned to the bus
he looked quite grey and had slipped on a rock and injured his knee/thigh
muscle. This had already swollen up quite drastically, so on our arrival in
Puerto Varas, he went immediately to hospital with Neil. We had been dropped
off at a hotel by the tour rep who had then disappeared with the rest of the
bus. We then found that we hadn’t been
booked in and no rooms available. Gunna
of course was uncontactable, but we met a lovely lady, Fab who was born in Australia but had dual Australia/Chile nationality. She spoke perfect English and Chilean. She helped work out with the
receptionist where our hotel was, and we then took 4x taxis, plus Fab’s car (by
now taken hostage). Once sorted in the new hotel, it was about 10pm, so we
invited Fab to join us for a meal and ice-cold Chilean white wine. Swapped
emails with her as she is visiting UK in Sept – her dream holiday! Karma.
She was also able to use her phone, contact the hospital and let the
boys know where we were now staying.
Gunna returned about midnight with instructions to stay put with leg
elevated for three days. Possibly torn muscle. Think this will need a second
opinion from a specialist.
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