Castro, the capital of Chiloé, is about half way down the island on the eastern side. It's famous for its Palafitos, houses built on stilts at the water's edge. When the tides come up the water comes in under the houses. When it goes out, the stilts and the ground in which they sit are exposed. The hostel we stayed in was one of these palafitos. It was a pretty cool little place with a common area and deck at the back. When we first arrived the tide was out and...

Ancud is a small town at the northern end of the island of Chiloé, the largest island of the Chilean archipelago with a fishing history. Our bus took a few hours including making the crossing by ferry which was at least sea worthy. While on the ferry for 10 or 15 minutes we were able to get off the bus and look out over the channel and the approaching island. Our hostel was close to the waterfront, and we walked along there into the town centre, consisting of...

Puerto Varas Puerto Varas isn't far from Pucón, maybe 5 hours. In a way they are quite similar, on the banks of a lake (Lago Llanquihue) with a big volcano nearby. Actually there are 2 volcanos near Puerto Varas. Osorno is another perfectly formed specimen, and Calbuco which is less so. Puerto Varas didn't seem to have as lively an atmosphere as Pucón, and the beach certainly wasn't pretty though it was still busy. On the afternoon we arrived we did the Patr...

After an overnight bus we pulled into Pucón early. Our hostel wasn't awake yet as no one was answering the door, so we went and found the only café in town that was open and had an overpriced breakfast. Pucón is a little resort town, and it resembles a European resort town with its wooden cabins. It sits on the shores of the Lago Villarrica, but most impressive is the huge Volcán Villarrica looming ominously nearby. After breakfast we were able to get an an...

Valparaiso, how absurd you are, what a lunatic, crazy port, what a head - rolling hills, dishevelled, you never finished combing your hair, you've never had time to get dressed, life has always surprised you. (Ode to Valparaiso, Pablo Neruda) We made our way to our hostel after the bus pulled into Valparaiso bus station. Our walk was through the central area of Valpo, as the locals call it, an area which did nothing to overwhelm us. When we arrived in the area o...