Monday 20th March 2017
Waved goodbye to Gunna who didn’t want anyone staying back
with him. We didn’t see any of Puerto
Varas, which was supposed to be a beautiful town full of roses. The hotel was
also superb with indoor pool and flumes, but we had no time to indulge in that
either. So onwards to Pucon, sitting
under the Volcano Ruka Pillan. Took
about 6 hours by public bus (actually a very nice coach with toilet on board,
but which only stopped to drop/collect).
Nearly lost Iain who didn’t realise this and went off to find a toilet
in the bus station – bus started to reverse ready to leave! Lots of sleeping
(still have cough/congestion since leaving UK!)
Stayed at Malalhue Hotel – a little family-run cute place on
outskirts of town. Walked into town with
Ed, Jude and Loretta whilst Iain sorted out the millions of photos taken. Loads of fabulous fruit and veg shops – Chile’s
GDP is based on Copper, Lithium, then fruit and tourism in that order. Their cars are very cheap – under $10,000 for
a new car as no import tax. As the
country is so long and thin, then basically they can grow anything at any time
of year. However, Argentina’s beef is
better as the ash from the volcanos blows towards Argentina, making the grass
better. About the only thing the Chilean’s
and Argentinians will agree on!
We wandered around looking at the numerous adventure/tourist
shops with anything from volcano walking to white-water rafting, horseriding
etc etc (bit like the Chilean version of Queenstown NZ). The usual supermarket
shop of healthy provisions – crisps, pisco sour mix, rum, coke – and then a
taxi back. When we asked for ice at the reception and whether they had a garden
where we could drink it (doesn’t get dark till after 8pm), then they apologised
and said that they didn’t have much of a garden due to the swimming pool…. Bliss….
We had no idea! An evening of cocktails
and dinner from the hotel – fish, rice and strawberries. Perfect. 
No comments:
Post a Comment