We had asked for our breakfast early this morning so we could hit the road in our hire car. It was laid out ready for us although we had to miss out on the scrambled eggs, but we'd survive.

Andy and Carlee arrived on time and we loaded up the car. Carlee volunteered to drive the couple of hours to Valdivia. It was still a bit cloudy and rainy when we left Pucón but gradually brightened up the nearer we went to the coast. We were making really good time until we pulled off the Panamerican Highway for the last stretch to Valdivia, there were roadworks nearly the entire length of the road.

We finally arrived in Valdivia but decided to drive through town and over the river to Isla Teja and continue towards the coast. The fortress in La Niebla was closed for renovations so we drove a little further to check out the beach in Los Molinos. It was the shoulder season and the place looked a bit deserted. The black sand beach looked a bit cold especially with the cold Pacific Ocean waves breaking on to it.

On the way back to Valdivia we stopped at couple of lookouts with nice views of the water and forested hills behind. Valdivia is famous for its Kunstmann Brewery, one of Chile's most popular beers, but it's also home to the craft brewery, Valtor. We stopped for a quick tasting session and were impressed enough with their Pale Ale to sample a bit more before going for lunch.

We drove to the Kunstmann Brewery where we had planned to have a German style lunch and a tour, but when we arrived we were told they were closing at 3pm for private event. Their tables were full at moment so a quick bite to eat was out of question and for some unknown reason we couldn't do the last tour which was in 45 minutes. The way in which we were told all this will certainly not be winning any customer relations awards and we quickly renamed the brewery... I'm sure you can guess.

We drove back to Isla Teja, and parked up just before the bridge. There were quite a few restaurants and cafes around and we eventually settled for Lio Bar. It was a very modern looking bar with deliberately minimalistic and odd furniture. The menu del dia included chicken soup served in a tin mug, a german meat loaf with potato pure and salad followed by a semolina desert smothered in a amaretto sauce. All very nice and not too expensive either.

We left the car where it was parked and walked over the bridge into the city itself. There were heaps of sealions basking in the sun on the pontoons that were anchored just under the bridge.

There was a tourist information office by the river and the guys were very helpful with not only information on Valdivia but in the surrounding River Region too.

As we walked up the riverside we came to the fish market but it was already closed and they were washing it down. There were a few big sealions hanging out by the market and one in particular that seemed abnormally huge.

The boys wanted to watch the Champions League game between Liverpool and Real Madrid so we rushed through the city to an Irish Pub, Clover, that was showing it. While the boys watched the game, the girls went to look for accommodation and booked a "cabin" at Hostel Internacional. It was more like an attached apartment with a downstairs kitchen and bathroom and the two bedrooms upstairs.

Back at the Irish pub, the game was nearly finished but there was time for another drink. Ironically, after our experience at the brewery earlier, we were drinking at a Kunstmann bar. Their beer is actually pretty good and Maria tried their Blueberry Beer which was bit odd but not bad.

After finishing the drinks, we went for walk along the river front, a bit less frantically. There was a really cool map of Chile and Antarctica built into the walkway but not so much else to see.

We crossed back over the river to get the car on Isla Teja, where we had parked it, and bought some cakes from a little bakery on the corner of the street for a little dessert after our cheese and biscuit supper.