La Frontera Temuco

... received more rain in the three days we were there than Las Vegas receives in a year. And every single drop was greedily soaked up by the rich volcanic soil and lush, dense vegetation. Thanks to 8th grade World Geography, I know that the phenomenon of very fertile, wet land separated by much drier land by a mountain range such as is the case between Chile and Argentina is known as the rain shadow effect.

This second ...

... planning on a simple day trip on the ferry there and back. Last option: young couple heading to San Martin that say they are happy to take us! Wooo!! What luck. Now we had sorted out what we were doing we could properly enjoy the breathtaking scenery. Surrounded by mountains on both sides, perfectly still water in front and behind, and a delicious cool breeze in your face. And all for free!! - Due to some confusion some where along the line nobody charged us the normally $1 fee ...

Temuco ist eine der Hochburgen indigen Lebens in Chile und da ich mir ein wenig Mapuche Kleidung wie Pullis und so kaufen wollte dachte ich mir ist dies der perfekte Ort dafür..... ich bin also am morgen so gegen 9 Uhr aus Valdivia angekommen und hab mir für den selben Abend ein Nacht Ticket nach Santiago gekauft anschließend hab ich meinen Rucksack einstellen lassen und hab mich auf den weg in die Stadt gemacht ...

... after carrying a heavy load on my back for the last 4 mths. I tried to talk to the boy in my limited Spanish and he tried to understand. I learnt from him that the main industry in area was salmon farming. As we passed the fishery he explained that the plant had contaminated the nearby stream and asked that I don`t let the horse drink from it. We also passed a section of road where you could see past volcanic lava flows. It was a very long way from the ...

... we headed into town. We had a bus that evening at 23.15pm so wanted to make the most of out day. We headed into the main part of town. There was a pleasant main square and some major department stores. After spending some time feeling normal (in a shop) we headed to the other end of town to some quite colourful fruit, vege, and meat markets. All in all good experiences. Early afternoon we resided in our local (cafe/bar) for a few beverages ...

... my stomach turned as I got out of the van. There was a ski lift for the next 300m but this wasnt working...not that anyone was thinking of cheating! At this point, it started to sink in we were climbing an active volcano! This first 300m we climbed proved to be pretty tough and already we were feeling the pace. The boots provided were heavy to walk in, it was a very steep climb and although we weren't at really high altitude, the ...

... into deep snow to lever ourselves forward. When we reach the top, after four hours, the group leader calls us back from the crater's edge and with good reason. The sulphurous fumes from within are deadly. More than just producing a bad-egg smell, the volcano is pumping out choking, poisonous gases that sting your eyes. No one can see past to the magma below and no one wants to linger. We take hurried snaps of the rim and smoke and race down, coughing. The ...

... de l'agence. Lendemain, rendez-vous à 6h45 à l'agence. J'y étais 5 minutes à l'avance, et rapidement 2 autres touristes sont arrivés: l'Espagnol Juan et l'Israelienne Ariela. Le temps d'enfiler nos équipements, et à 7h nous étions prêts... pour encore devoir attendre une heure, UNE HEURE, afin que les 6 autres zigotos d'une autre agence soient prêts. Parmi eux, un couple d'Allemands avec un bébé de 18 mois (gloups, elle allait monter avec nous? mais oui!). Question ...

... indicate the details of this great Ruca that we had visited. Valdivia was a beautiful city. In the past it had been an important centre of Spanish colonial control over Chile and was later a centre for German colonisation of the district. The city had a very unique feel and I immediately fell in love with it. Not to mention that they make great chocolates and nice beer! Again, we found the same carelessness of their historical sights as we saw in Temuco. We visited "Fuertes", or forts ...

... was annoying and it took a few hours to get the neck cramps out, but it was fantastic to wake up with the sun pouring in the bus windows and everything GREEN. Things here in Valpo are really pretty dry, but in the south of Chile, it rains lots, and so it's a totally different landscape! We came in on a route through Villarica (for those of you with maps at home!) with the stunning vista of Lago Villarica (one of the biggest lakes in S. America) and ...