3/8  On the road again. This time a 6 hour bus ride to Villarrica. We opted for this town because the one most people visit is Pucon, and it is too touristy. This place is the next town over. We plan to climb a volcano and then you slide down on your butt. You get an ice axe to help you stop. I'm a little nervous, but it sounds fun and they claim you don't need any experience trekking up on ice. There are also lots of hot springs in this area. That sounds wonderful.
The day started with us getting up early to have the bags in the hall by 7. We ate and then disembarked by 8. A bus took us from the dock to the ferry office to pick up our luggage. Of course we had to wait a while. We headed to the bus terminal, where we bought our ticket to leave at 2. We reserved an additional night at the hostel for tonight at the internet cafe there. With all our administrative duties completed, we walked to the local fish market. So cool. There were clams, mussels, salmon, king crab, octopus, squid, and all kinds of fish I could not recognize. There were stalls with fresh vegtables, including seaweed, cheeses and smoked meat. It all looked so good and it was very clean.  Up above the market stalls were all these little restaurant stalls. Each one only had 2 long picnic tables. Very, very small. We picked one that overlooked the bay. Just as we were going to sit down, I noticed a sea lion along thd shore. G and I went out to take a picture. There was a big male and 2 females. He came up on shore to eat a fish that one of the fisherman threw him.   Back in the restaurant, B and I ordered a fish stew. T and G ordered clams and mussels. Delicious. We were also served the chilean drink called pisco. Some alcoholic, home made drink. Kind of sweet, but we only got a shot glass full.  We took our time walking back to the bus terminal to browse the craft market stalls. They lined the street for at least half the way.  I bought another sticker for the water bottle and some hand made little wicker birds. Many of the stalls had yarn and the owners were in there knitting with alpaca wool. Again,, very tempting, but no room in the backpack.
So now that I am all caught up on the blog, I think a nap sounds like just what I need. Oh, we are just driving through Puerto Varas. This town looks like little Germany. So pretty. Flower boxes, roses along the sidewalks, the buildings are concrete on the bottom and wooden on top. Supposedly, where we are going should be similar. The majority of southern Chile has a strong German influence.
I hope our good fortune holds out. We are 6 for 6 on our hostel choices and the ferry was a huge success too. Hope our place for the next 4 nights is just as nice.
Yup, we are 7 for 7. This looks like a swis lodge, with a nice garden area. T and I went into town at 9pm to listen to the hosts friend play guitar. He was really good and the local beer, Crater, was good. B and G were too tired. We got back at 11 and went to bed. Super comfy.