We leave Trevelin behind and almost immediately find ourselves on high speed gravel. It is a delightful ride, and the bikes are starting to feel like our own. The river we are tailing is all blue-green, and crystal clear. In fact we can see some quite large sunken trees. Certainly, these will probably be wood for a million dollar Stradivarius violin one day.
The Argentina border crossing agent has a sense of humor and makes the Asian karate noises while giggling about "Bruce Lee" on the passport application. Overall, the agents are very courteous, and the place is incredibly well staffed given the low volume of 1 car per hour that must pass here.
A bit down the road, we get the bikes back into Chile. The bikes are thoroughly searched for as they sleuth for that one bit of forbidden fruit. Little do they know Bruce is much like Sam am I. He wouldn't have a bit of fruit ever, he's much too 'meat and potatoes" to expend energy eating a fruita. I think that he might be the "Sam I Am
of the frutia world... Just substitute the word 'fruita' for "Green Eggs and Ham"...
Do you like Frutia
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.
I do not like Frutia
Would you like them Here or there?
I would not like them here or there.
I would not like them anywhere
The Argentina border crossing agent has a sense of humor and makes the Asian karate noises while giggling about "Bruce Lee" on the passport application. Overall, the agents are very courteous, and the place is incredibly well staffed given the low volume of 1 car per hour that must pass here.
A bit down the road, we get the bikes back into Chile. The bikes are thoroughly searched for as they sleuth for that one bit of forbidden fruit. Little do they know Bruce is much like Sam am I. He wouldn't have a bit of fruit ever, he's much too 'meat and potatoes" to expend energy eating a fruita. I think that he might be the "Sam I Am
of the frutia world... Just substitute the word 'fruita' for "Green Eggs and Ham"...
Do you like Frutia
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.
I do not like Frutia
Would you like them Here or there?
I would not like them here or there.
I would not like them anywhere
The valley is magnificent as we continue on the gravel road. One day we are certain this will be a movie set backdrop. It has everything, an island, blue water and a island to boot!
We travel through this town, which had a terrible mudslide a few years ago. Good to see the National flag still flying in the face of all the devastation.
Love the wooden bridge design.
Lunch at "Mi Casita de Te" was a nice stop. We realize that the temp has dropped and we are actually a bit chilled. It is also a good place to burn some time, and the wifi is smokin fast! We spy these 3 waterfalls on the way out of town. However, we have to say that the panoramic overlooks from the tarmac are about 3 orders of magnitude less impressive than the dirt road this morning.
Soon enough we leave with plenty of time to top off fuel in Puyuhuapi. How the heck to you pronounce that? Does this sign help you? Nope, didn't help us either.
To get to the hotel, you need to catch a water taxi. We get to the launch point about 30 mins early, and are greeted only by a locked parking lot. We find ourselves at the only rendezvous point in all of Chile without an overhang. Seriously, every Podunk bus stop has been exceptionally high-end compared to the town...and here we stand here listening to the rain drops pelting our helmets. But soon enough the ferry arrives. I have no idea why half the visitors are wearing their life vests. It's a 10 min ride and you never lose sight of land. Safety third for us though.
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We met a German fellow yesterday, who booked via another broker. Apparently, there are only three bike rental agencies in Chile. Every broker/travel agent is using bikes from one of those. He is convinced that with our swanky hotel arrangements that we are on the honeymoon tour. I can't really disagree with that argument tonight.
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The lodge has an interesting past. Here's a photo of the first building in the 1940s, and they took cattle to the island by tying their feet and lifting by the horns.
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Stunning floro at the lodge. In fact, Bruce wants to know if he can take this "hat" leaf though customs..
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At dinner Bruce looks out the window while I am away. He swears he seems something porpoise a few times then disappear. We thought this was a landlocked lake, but turns out it is actually an inland port to the South Pacific. In fact, huge ships come in to harbor from the storms. Additionally, there are many salmon farms in the area both receiving food by the pallet for them, and also shipping them back to market.
There are 3 thermal pools at the lodge. This one was 38C....absolutely relaxing in the natural setting. Fits a dozen people comfortably. Bruce nearly fell asleep! We did get some other visitors and they were painting their faces with the mud. I thought about doing that too until I realized I pretty much get that a free service from riding behind Bruce every day of my life.
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