Puerto Varas (II) - The Lakes

We were originaly thinking of taking the scenic route to Bariloche in Argentina (we´re in Chile) but heard that it would cost $160 USD each. Taking the normal bus is just $20 USD. So we will wimp out and get the bus. However, it´s possible to go the scenic route for most of the way in Chile anyway as a separate trip. Costs just under $50. So today we did that.

It was a very touristy trip with lots of erm... old people. We had a bit of a kufuffle with tickets as we reserved them the day before and picked them up just before departing. However, there was something strange with our tickets so a man took them away up to the office and left us standing on the street for a worrying few minutes.

Managed to get on the bus and leave at 9am. Had great weather for it and as we left town we could see the volcano in all it´s glory. Then wound through beautiful countryside for 1.5 hours. Stopped for a bit to see a waterfall then carried on to a boat.

The boat (catamaran) took us and the wrinklies for a cruise across the lakes for another couple of hours. Gorgeous scenery. Got off at the other end and went for a walk in the woods and hills. Had a bite to eat and then went back to the boat to do it all again in reverse.

All very nice and not too streneous. They were trying to sell all sorts of activities during the trip, from horse riding to the "canopy" trip where you slide down wires hanging between trees. All sounded good but all were very expensive for what they were and they kept going on and on about it. We stuck with our walks.

Sorry for the lack of pics. The computer here is a bit underpowered and I don´t think it´ll be able to handle taking the pics off the camera. I just powered up Paint and it told me it didn´t have enough memory. Poor thing. Also, flickr is messing about. I uploaded a photo but it doesn´t seem to appear. You 4x4 fanatics will have to wait for your treat.

That´s it. Should be off to Bariloche in Argentina tomorrow but we haven´t bought the bus ticket yet and it´s 8.20pm already. Hmmm.....

Updated with photos (29-Nov-2005) - Click for pics

From the back of the boat



More volcanos



And again