Pucon(Chile) to San Martin de los Andes(Argentinia)

We left the small, beautiful town of Pucon with sad hearts - we had been there for more than 3 days... and never got to see the volcano!

We left midday from Pucon and our route took us over the Andes again - from the Chilean lake distict to its counter part in Argentina. The route was amazing - followed just to the north of a string of 3 volcanos - slowly climbing all the way. First through thick forests and then finally into a snowy high plato... to the base of the massive Volcano Lanin (nearly 4000m high)

The border crossing in this little backwater route was smooth and easy and suddenly we were back in Argentina. The change was dramatic - suddenly it was much drier, open plains and less trees (reminds me somewhat of the area around Rodes in the E.C.)

San Martin de los Andes - beautiful, but quite an upmarket town. Going to rent a car and do the 7 Lakes Route. So excited !!

Pucon, Chile

What a lazy day!! We slept late and awakened to yet another rainy day in Pucon - it had been raining solidly now for the 3 days we have been here and we have yet to see the volcano!! Today we just spent around town - bought our bus tickets onwards further into the lake district and then explored town ending up in a coffee shop where we tried a submarino - basically a glass of warm milk where you dissolve chocolate into... perfect for cold rainy weather.

We rest of the day we spent with Cameron - a Scotsman we met in Mendoza and caught up with again here - watching movies, and staying warm in front of the fire. Like I said, a lazy day

Tomorrow we have to move on again - we are crossing over again, back into Argentina to visit the lakes around San Martin de los Andes and Bariloche... hope for better weather :)

Parque Nacional Huerquehue

We left our (warm) hostel early morning heading out of town to the nacional park (see above). On the way there the rain was coming down without relief and just before the park turned to snow... We decided to carry on and had a beautiful (but cold) walk through the park. Amazing trees, mountains, lakes and yes, snow. Such a beautiful day, but oh, so relieved to make it back to our warm hostel, warm food and a warm shower :)

CHILE

The overnight bus took us further south, into Patagonia - into the Chilean lake district. We arrived early morning in the small town of Pucon. A beautiful little town, wooden buildings, a lake with black beaches and an active volcano... only the volcano was hidden in clouds and RAIN. Lots of RAIN.

We managed to find an amazing little hostel with warm down duvets. Another place to come back to and properly explore with your own transport!!

Crossing over

On the 27th we crossed over from Mendoza in Argentina to Santiago in Chile. This journey took us over one of the highest parts of the Andes mountains!

On the Argentinian side the bus passed through a semi desert region - ironically used for the filming of Seven years in Tibet.

The border post was quite an interesting experience, but we managed to pass through without insident. On the other side we went down a crazy steep pass with 28 hair-pin bends...!!!! CRAZY

And just like that we were out of the mountains and 30 minutes later in Santiago - what an amazing journey.

That evening we caught the next bus south towards the little town of Pucon - in PATAGONIA!!

Thermal Baths, Mendoza

We've had an amazing time in and around Mendoza. We enjoed the amazing tree lined streets, the massive park of San Martin and the amazing evening markets.

We heard about hot-springs in the mountains around Mendoza from other people in our hostel, thus we headed out of Mendoza towards the Andean foothills today. Luckily the owner/manager of the hostel joined us (Nicolas) and helped us get to the bus station on time, find the right bus and also where to get off. The specific hot strping we went to is just...well, there. In the mountains next to the river, with no other people...no fancy resort...just wonderfully peaceful.

Had a wonderful day at the river & hot-springs before we caught the afternoon bus "home" to Mendoza.

Tonight we have to pack, because we're heading over the Andes to Chile tomorrow morning!

Camping in Potrerillos

After our horse ride we set up camp just outside the town of Potrerillos in the andean pre-cordillera (foothills), next to a beautiful mountain stream.

We had a lovely time camping, enjoying the spectacular views of the Andes and exploring the area on foot. The weather during the day was pleasant, but the evenings and early morning showed the true colours of the mountain climate!!

What an amazing place to explore, photograph and just and stare at the mountains.