Tuesday, 8 February 2011

Day 23: Into Patagonia


Mood: Sleepy
Music: Kings of Convenience - Quiet is the new loud

Today started early (again) with a 5:30am wake up to be picked up and taken to the airport at 6am. The flight was fairly easy and before long I was on the floor in Puerto Montt ready to be transferred to Petrohue.

The transfer was with a nice guy called Christian with whom I chatted sporadically during the almost 2 hour trip out into the lakes. After a little while I caught sight of a very large volcano, shrouded in a band of cloud, as we approached I started trying to get photos of this through the window, then best of which is here.

As soon as the opportunity arouse (a lay-by with a clear view over the sea lake to the volcano) Christian pulled over without asking and let me out to take some more photos. He said that clear weather, such as we had, was so rare that in Patagonia you take photos when the opportunity arises as it might not do so again.

A little further on I was offered the opportunity to get out again into an area of national park where all of the tourists from the cruise ships were being delivered, the area gave a single real photo opportunity but it is the classic postcard from this region.

When I got to the hotel I checked in and was given an opportunity to change before being explained what activities I have available over the next couple of days. I took the chance to do a Go Ape! style tree walk / climb / absail / zip line type course. As it was only me and two instructors, we whistled around this in under half the time expected.

After that I took a sea kayak out onto the lake. I took some nice photos of the mountain (see Rolf above) but did managed to get washed out by one of the launches on the lake as it went speeding past. The wind was also in my face the whole way back to the hotel and thus the waves were blowing more water on board. So much so that I had to make a detour via a beach in order to tip the water out that I was sat in.

On arrival back at the hotel I had to wring out most of the clothes I'd been wearing and also had to leave Rolf out to dry. I fear his badge may not have liked the water too much, I just hope it holds out! :)

Tomorrow holds a 7 hour trek around the lake. At last some exercise...

I've also started on a diet, namely the "let's stop eating two 3 course meals a day while doing no exercise" diet. I think I can stick to it for a while without much effort.

Until tomorrow :)

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