Chiloé
So last day in this part of Patagonia. We searched the evening before after a tour to Chiloé but they all seemed to take place in the weekends. How unfortunate, not that we could have gone anyways with J being ill and the bad weather for half of the day. Our hotel staff was amazing, had been before and now again they helped us with another alternative, rent a car. So when the car company opened at 9 we rented our car and made our way to the grand island of Chiloé. Supposed to be a very beautiful island that many talk about. Our main goal was to see the penguins living there, Magellan and Humboldt. Only place in the world where they live together.
We could use maps for GPS but the road to Chiloé was easy to follow. A highway most part of the way with clear signs. It took it's time though, we also had to take a ferry to get to the island - with the car. This was no problem, people giving clear signs on where and when to enter the boat. And they went quite frequently, we waited a maximum of 20 min before entering the ferry.
At the boat I ended up guarding one of the staff's phone while he got a coffe. Later I had to practice my Spanish a lot since he had a broad accent and talked very fast. A chiloean. J was no where to be seen to the rescue, he was outside in the cold to watch the sea. Good practicing though.
When we entered the island we still had a long drive left to reach the penguins. And since we had to return the car to the company before 7 pm we were in a hurry. Unfortunately we couldn't get going just yet since there was a police control for regular cars this day. They checked to see we had our warning triangle, papers and such. Got a bit nervous at first but everything went smoothly and they were nice. People here say the police always treat foreigners well since Chile realised some years ago tourism also is a beneficial industry besides the copper one.
After being cleared we drove at one side of the island, passing Ancud and enjoying being almost alone at the road when passing this town. At the beginning we didn't understand the hype of this island, it all reminded us of Swedish summer. But the further away we got the scenery started to change and all the greenery was nice. And if one are to see Chiloe for real one should live here I think.
We reached Puñihuil after lunch time and drove a bit on the beach. Companies asked if we were interested in a tour and they guaranteed us it would be no more than 30 minutes and begin soon. We accepted, we came all this way to see penguins and they were definitely not visible from the beach (as I were naive to believe at the beginning).
The penguins were scattered along three small island along with much more bird life. They spend 6 months here and 6 months in the Pacific. The little ones stay high up on the island until it's time to try swimming for the first time. If they are too hesitant they will be pushed by their parents. The young ones later leave the island before their parents to go the Pacific, the parents have to clean up the nest before they can leave. Teenagers huh.
It was amazing to see penguins in real life! So tiny these species! Cuties! Really a special experience in life.
After the journey we bought a cheese empanada at a shop at the beach and we got more cheese than you get when having fondue. Oh my. Not doing that mistake again. So far no luck with the empanadas.
After the tour we went back to Ancud and wondered if we had time to see the city and the famous churches. The idea of driving in the city looking for parking spots was not so tempting after passing through once. And we were worried about the ferry schedule for the afternoon, they seemed to run less frequently. And at first J saw churches on the way back pin pointed at Google maps but as we got closer they seemed to disappear. Churches here are famous since they are built in wood and often by sailors that incorporated some architecture similar to a ship. Usually brightly coloured as well. Unfortunately I only got one picture of them before leaving that I will add here already now:
So we skipped Ancud and went straight to the ferry. We made it to the rental company almost 2 hours earlier than needed but better safe than sorry. We passed Puerto Montt on our way and we are glad we stayed in Puerto Varas. Even people living there call it an ugly city according to comments online.
For our last evening in Puerto Varas I was eager to revisit the hip restaurant by the lake. J agreed and once again we had a joyable culinary experience.
Cheers!
S
We could use maps for GPS but the road to Chiloé was easy to follow. A highway most part of the way with clear signs. It took it's time though, we also had to take a ferry to get to the island - with the car. This was no problem, people giving clear signs on where and when to enter the boat. And they went quite frequently, we waited a maximum of 20 min before entering the ferry.
 |
| At Chiloé |
At the boat I ended up guarding one of the staff's phone while he got a coffe. Later I had to practice my Spanish a lot since he had a broad accent and talked very fast. A chiloean. J was no where to be seen to the rescue, he was outside in the cold to watch the sea. Good practicing though.
When we entered the island we still had a long drive left to reach the penguins. And since we had to return the car to the company before 7 pm we were in a hurry. Unfortunately we couldn't get going just yet since there was a police control for regular cars this day. They checked to see we had our warning triangle, papers and such. Got a bit nervous at first but everything went smoothly and they were nice. People here say the police always treat foreigners well since Chile realised some years ago tourism also is a beneficial industry besides the copper one.
After being cleared we drove at one side of the island, passing Ancud and enjoying being almost alone at the road when passing this town. At the beginning we didn't understand the hype of this island, it all reminded us of Swedish summer. But the further away we got the scenery started to change and all the greenery was nice. And if one are to see Chiloe for real one should live here I think.
We reached Puñihuil after lunch time and drove a bit on the beach. Companies asked if we were interested in a tour and they guaranteed us it would be no more than 30 minutes and begin soon. We accepted, we came all this way to see penguins and they were definitely not visible from the beach (as I were naive to believe at the beginning).
The penguins were scattered along three small island along with much more bird life. They spend 6 months here and 6 months in the Pacific. The little ones stay high up on the island until it's time to try swimming for the first time. If they are too hesitant they will be pushed by their parents. The young ones later leave the island before their parents to go the Pacific, the parents have to clean up the nest before they can leave. Teenagers huh.
 |
| Very good camouflage |
It was amazing to see penguins in real life! So tiny these species! Cuties! Really a special experience in life.
After the journey we bought a cheese empanada at a shop at the beach and we got more cheese than you get when having fondue. Oh my. Not doing that mistake again. So far no luck with the empanadas.
After the tour we went back to Ancud and wondered if we had time to see the city and the famous churches. The idea of driving in the city looking for parking spots was not so tempting after passing through once. And we were worried about the ferry schedule for the afternoon, they seemed to run less frequently. And at first J saw churches on the way back pin pointed at Google maps but as we got closer they seemed to disappear. Churches here are famous since they are built in wood and often by sailors that incorporated some architecture similar to a ship. Usually brightly coloured as well. Unfortunately I only got one picture of them before leaving that I will add here already now:
So we skipped Ancud and went straight to the ferry. We made it to the rental company almost 2 hours earlier than needed but better safe than sorry. We passed Puerto Montt on our way and we are glad we stayed in Puerto Varas. Even people living there call it an ugly city according to comments online.
For our last evening in Puerto Varas I was eager to revisit the hip restaurant by the lake. J agreed and once again we had a joyable culinary experience.
Cheers!
S
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