Chillan-Valle Las Trancas

13.04.-15.04.11

It was just after 3pm when I arrived in CHILLAN. Chillan is a town of 180.000 inhabitants and there is really nothing spectacular to see apart from the ESUELA MEXICO, which was donated after the earthquake 1939 by the Mexican government and the Mercado Central. So after I have checked into the "Hostel Canada" I made my way to these two interesting sights.

The next morning I took the local bus to VALLE LAS TRANCAS. Hector, a friend of mine from Santiago recommended me to go to this hidden Ski-Resort and do a bit of trekking in the beautiful mountains and check out the THERMAS CHILLAN.

When I arrived in LAS TRANCAS the bus dropped me of right in front of the "Hostel Chill-Inn". It seemed that I was the only guest in this huge Hostel and I guess that was the reason why the Manager didn't put on the heating…..it was just freezing cold in the whole house! I asked the Manager if he could provide me with a heater but he declined!

So I went to two other places which were just nearby and asked for the cheapest room or cabana….but both places wanted to have 25.000 for one night! I nearly gave up and wanted to take the next bus back to CHILLAN…but Nancy the Manager of "CABANA ROCHUE" came up to me and offered me a beautiful and big cabana for just 15.000! Well even though that it was the most expensive accommodation which I had in the last six months, I decided to take it! So I had my own cabana which a huge double bed, a kitchen, beautiful bathroom and a fire place.

Nancy also offered me to look after the fire place while I was trekking. She recommended me a three hour trek into the Volcanic Mountains just in front of the Ski Resort. I left at 4pm and I came back just before it got dark. Unfortunately I couldn't take some nice photos as it was overcast and dawn! When I came back to my lovely and huge cabana it was so nice and hot in there that I fell asleep in front of the TV at 9.30pm!

After a fantastic night of sleep I woke up at 9am in the morning. As it was a sunny and beautiful morning but very cold outside! I decided to make my way to the Thermal pools right on the bottom of the Ski resort. Unfortunately at this time of the year (low season) there was no bus and therefore I had to hitch hike. After half an hour waiting along the road I nearly gave up….but then a car with four guys gave me a lift right to the Thermal Pools!

First I was a bit disappointed of the pools! The entrance fee was 6.000 Pesos and the water wasn't really hot….just warm! But after a group of seven retired Chilean Senoras and Senors joined me we had a lot of fun and they told me a lot about CHILE.

After two hours in the pools I started walking back the 8km unsealed road to LAS TRANCAS…..and again I was lucky! A very, very old truck with to young Chilean guys stopped and gave me a lift right in front of the "Cabanas Rochue"!!! Absolutely perfect timing! I just had enough time for a quick lunch, packing my backpack and saying Good Bye to Nancy….and at 3pm I went back by bus to CHILLAN!