February 2016
Pucon, Villa Rica and Salto del Laja


We crossed to Chile, once again! I have to say that all the driving and crossing has been very good for us, hassle free...which is different to what all people say about boundaries crossing...

It was really hot and naively we decided to drive all along the coast... us and millions of Chileans that are taking holidays! I can't remember seeing so many people together stuck next to each other... absolutely impossible to walk/lay/stay on any beach... It was a pity but continue driving.....until we got to this "deserted" beach (later found out that it is prohibited to swim there, very dangerous, hence the no people. Just happy to walk on the beach... saw a small group looking at the sea and a big rock very closed to the shore.. a sea lion colony!!! Unbelievable! But the biggest, anxious and cutest surprise was that a baby seal was on the shore, it was lost and hurt and he couldn't got back to his home. We were all watching in desperation, without knowing how to help as every time he will try to break the surf he will be pull out again by the big waves. This trying exercise took about 40 minutes and we were all prepared just to see him dying... but he kept trying and trying and finally he made it!!!! Big applauses and smiles all around.

And the funniest and cutest thing just happen....looking for a place to sleep in Chanco, a sleepy town, very small. Just across the police station- one of our “preferred town places to sleep”, the noise coming was so big that we left our car at night just to satisfy our curiosity. And in a corner, an open place; lots of people sitting on long wooden seats in a square shape. Two guys screaming numbers, over the top music. A bingo! The prices: a bag of pasta; a detergent box, a few coca-cola, a combo of deodorant-shampoo. We stayed there a while, standing and looking; really enjoying the moment. The easy laugh, a healthy enjoyment; the simplicity of all

We were forced to deviate and stayed in Constitucion. Our SalSolcito is broken just after being repaired in Bariloche. Too long, tedious and frustrated story to tell. It remains me of all the horror stories people tell about mechanics. But getting to know Consitucion was marvelous. We walked and walked and walked; and we found a beautiful coast with cliffs, furious ocean, and incredible huge rocks on the cost. A place where all the birds come to sing. A tragic story... we took a bus to go back to the mechanic; the driver seeing that we were visitors took a detour and went up and up in between the mountains, so narrow little streets... and stop just right there where we could see the whole peninsula... where the Tsunami in 2010 destroyed the city and took more the 360 lives.

With our car still broken we finally met our friend Rodolfo and all the upsets suddenly were washed away.

February, 2016
Bariloche

A great reunion. Bubbles and "pan dulce", celebrating all that is good in life. Making plans for the just near future.

We spent sunny days in beautiful Bari. Going down on a bicycle path; drinking coffee on a beach; and conquering another mountain! Hecti and I trek to The Frey, 9 km of hard work.... sleeping in the refuge. I am glad that we are in good shape; my legs are looking so strong!

We headed then to the 7 Lakes, this beautiful road that takes you into lakes and forest and more lakes... I am sure here to say that Bariloche is so incredible pretty during summer! As we slept again in nature, going though Lanin National Park just to wake up on the side of the Lanin volcano and being privilege to be at the source of the river.... We took time just there, as we watched and learned about flying fishing

And just like that, trying to find a place to park to go for trekking. He passed by with his daughter in a tricycle and offer to leave SalSolcito in his home. Mates (argentina tea) after we were in a trek with her; being taken to a "locals" spot, waterfalls and all. A great conversation about childhood, hopes and plans... suddenly found myself in her kitchen, a "hairdresser" salon...cut and color included!