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So we have now ventured further south and have left the vineyards behind in favour of the beautiful Chilean Lakes District.
We did briefly pop into Chile's largest wine producing region (Colchagua Valley) after Mendoza to keep the levels topped up. This coincided with our first 'hitch-hiking' experience. I'm not sure it really counts though if it's only for 3kms and the people picking you up work in the same vineyard, plus the reason to hitchhike in the first place was to avoid 3 (lazy/hugely aggressive depending who you ask) dogs...
We then headed south to Pucon - the "adrenaline capital of Chile" and therefore an obvious destination for Team Hiles (?!). Things did not start too extreme however as we were laughed at for requesting the "family rafting trip". We had however heard that 100 vulcanologists had recently touted Pucon as the 'next Pompeii' so it felt appropriate to strap on some crampons and hike up the volcano in question (Villarrica) before said disaster occurred. Keen not to hang around too long at the summit, listening to bubbling magma, you then descend on plastic bum boards in a fifth of the time it took to get up! Rhian reliably (?!) informs me that she got air on the way down but judging by her speed it was far more likely to be a nervous fart.
We have also started some fantastic trekking in the national parks, most recently the Cochamo valley known also for its rock climbing where we met some real adrenaline junkies who thought nothing of sleeping for a week on their portable ledge 500m up a cliff face! We, on the other hand, were happy to watch them from the refugio terrace with a cold beer.
We are now in Puerto Varas which is decidedly German but with the benefit of great cake (Kuchen) and beer and from here will head to Chiloe, an island just south and said to be the home of all modern potatoes.....
Happy 1st birthday to Jake Baillie for tomorrow. We can't believe it is a year since 'pop goes the weasel'!!!
- comments
Mrs Chilliams Wowsers, your pics are amazing, that volcano looks flippin A - totally unplanned radicalness guys!! Lovely to read your updates, you'll be pleased to know Rhian your final card was delivered by Chilliams delivery services on time :-) Hope you're loving Chile, big love, missing you lots xxx.