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Well, STA don't know where I am so I hope the map is right............ I am in Pucon, got off the Navimag ferry yesterday and am with a group that formed on the ferry so I changed my plans and I am now in Pucon. Hopefully you can find it if you search. Why are we here? That's for later......
The Navimag ferry. A real cargo ferry really- the cows on the car deck lulling you to sleep, or something like that. The journey was good, actually really quite relaxed, I met some people and we simply formed a group. It was hard to be alone. I felt accepted and content. And rather than go to Chiloe came here instead. I tried to do the blog yesterday but managed to blow it up at the last moment and lost all the text simply so the photo could be right. The things I do for you guys I actually met a lot of people, and found myself slotting in to groups or conservations as I went along. It was reassuring and I am proud to say not too scary....... There were a couple of young Dutch women from Breda, a couple of young americans (who whupped my ass at chess on the giant outdoors chess board, in the wind- more on that later), a belgian couple, Michelle from Cambodia (really a very tall ginger Oz guy), some older french women and the group I'm now with. Andrew from Wales, Katie + Diana from England, Suzanne from The Netherlands (Eindhoven but nursing in Suriname), Tracey from Canada (but lives in Portugal) & we've been adopted by a Swiss guy Mark. The ferry was comfy, the food poor, the alcohol and late nights too much, the early breakfast too early. But it was fun. I learned to play cribbage and s***head..... (card games) I also amused and confused others in equal measure by wearing the kilt all the time
It got me photographed a wee bit. It was at times cold on the arms but generally gloriously sunny- having said that 99% of the other passengers wore much more and warmer clothing than me.... I am lucky that way. The ferry was 1 day late arriving before we left, due to bad weather but we were so lucky (as today, am I teasing enough?) and it was generally glorious and sunny. Apart from some 12 hours in the ocean it was calm (then it was gale force 5 and only Andrew + I had wine + played cards that night....). Unlke the people on the boat arriving we didn't see much sea life. Boohoo. However, we did see lots of seals, so graceful and playful in the water, I saw 1 penguin swim past at supersonic speed, think I saw albatroses, saw very few dolphins and did see the jet from whales breathing out far far away (and a little bit of a back too). So I amhappy. I even played bingo- that's where Michelle comes in. To claim your prizes you have to say who you are and do a dance!!!! Odd. But not as odd as the captain of the shipo serenading us all with very badly sung in English (+ better in Spanish) songs.... All in all a surreal experience (ooops, forgot the "throw the old apples into the cows on deck" bit).
Why Pucon? Well because I was accepted by a group of varied people who actually invited me to join them. And to go up Villarica volcano. Done today, in beautiful siunshine. No it wasn't an easy climb- initially quite sandy (probably sand from the molten lava....), then across a galciar (yep, crampons and ice axes necessary) and then over big/ small/ dusty bits of dead lava (very steep and hard). Coming down was easier After the hard loose bits of lava we did like a bob sleigh on a piece of plastic no more than a small round tea tray. Using the ice axe as a brake (which broke my sweater). And if you got it right it wasn't fast so much as an "oh s*** I can't stop and have just flown out of the run and this is full of stones and it's rough and it hurts a bit and my bum is soaked and how the **** do I stop" moment. From which you pick yourself up, laugh hysterically and go again!!!! The cash in my money belt is drying under to bedroom rug. And the bit I mentioned above wasn't the fastest (I managed to master it better next). At the end it went from small curves to a real bobsleigh kind of run with steep sides and curves and was borderline scary..... Then the end was again onto the ash and stone and rather sore.... I was first down and screaming from pleasure and ridicule and ended up managing to stop shouting a mix of joy and obscenities sufficent. I didn't move for a couple of minutes and then looked down the hill to see 2 hikers looking at me with what I assume was a mix of concern and fear. Oooops, I was a bit embarrassed. Then down the scree and dust at high speed (only after falling twice to remind me I was carrying a back pack- doh) Yes I have lots of blisters. Yes I ache. Yes the views of the Andes and 6 other volcano's was fantastic. No I didn't need more than a sweater even at the 2847m peak (ok I was up around 2700m & actually the sweater came off then), yes it is an active volcano but only in smell in terms of what I saw. Not a smell to bottle as a perfume I suggest...
So, it looks like we're about to hire a 7 seat bus to go to the hot springs and ease those aching bones. Aaaaah. Then go to Santiago tomorrow overnight. And yes the photo is of the volcano I just climbed. And yes I am again in the kilt because the guides didn't believe me.
So, it'll be another wee while before I write, this time from the big city and smog that is Santiago (+ Valparaiso and Viñe del Mar said to be the Cannes and Nice of S.America).
Again I thnk you for your messages and emails. They are appreciated and a part of my journey here. I suspect more emotions are due, and Santiago as a big city may bring some up. But, that's okay with me.
Ciao amigo's
Alan xx
I will repfy to some lovely emails later as the others have just arrived with the van and we're going to the natural thermal spas........ Now. My aching bones will be happy...
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