Pucon - Day 25 - 24/10/2012 (Wednesday)
Early wake up
Early bus blah blah blah
Arrived into Pucon about 3 that afternoon. Pucon is on a lake and has a dormant volcano just outside of the town. We checked into our hostel (all be it a very nice one) went for lunch and a walk to the lake then round the market. We were back for 5 as we were meeting someone to explain the activities we can do over the next 3 days. Our main goal was to climb the volcano. An hour or so later they returned with all the kit we would need. Shoes, trousers, jacket, helmets and even a sledge for the way down.
As we had a 6am start and the fact we had a kitchen for the first time in ages a group of us decided to cook.

Pucon - Day 26 - 25/10/2012 (Thursday)
Woke up at 6am, put on all our kit, made breakfast and lunch then the guys arrived to let us know the weather up the volcano was rubbish and that it was our choice if we wanted to go or delay for 24 hours. Pit took us a while but we decided to delay based on the fact they told us the weather would be better tomorrow. So we went back to bed for a bit. Sarah was out like a light but I couldn't sleep now we'd been up.
We'd planned to do some other things while we were here so Sarah wanted to do a go-ape type thing and I wanted to do hydro speed. As Sarah's thing was at 12 we didn't do a lot that morning. However when it got closer to 12 we found out that was canceled too. So we didn't do a lot that afternoon apart from go out a few times to get some air. At 4 we were picked up for hydro speed. We were driven to a river in the middle of no where and put on dry suits and flippers and then we picked up our board. Basically this involved a big float that you held out in front of you and then it drags you down the rapids in the river. So like rafting but you are alone floating with a big float. We started in the flat part although the river was flowing fast. We practiced what to do if we fell off or needed help. We floated down stream nice and calmly or about 20 minutes just splashing each other and having a laugh then we hit the first rapids. The guide goes first and you have to flow his path as close as you can. It was over way to quick and I really loved it although the photos make it look like I'm about to die. We went through a number of rapids each slightly bigger than the last until we reached the last one. At this point another river joins and a lot more water comes in to play. We had to go in side ways kicking as fast as we could against the current to stop us from going the wrong way. It was so fast and we bounced over the waves like twigs. It was over way to soon. When we got out we got changed and had a coffee and had a look at the photos.
Alberto was going to cook for us but we didn't get back until almost 8 so decided to go out for dinner then we got an early night ready for the volcano in the morning.

Pucon - Day 27 - 26/10/2012 (Friday)
Woke up at 6am, put on all our kit, made breakfast and lunch then the guys arrived... To tell us because it was rain down here there was no way we'd make it up the volcano so there wasn't any point trying. So back to bed we went.
Had another lazy morning and then decided to do the Mapuche tour. The Mapuche's are the indigenous tribe of Chile. We drove out and sat in one of there houses made of wood with a straw roof. The old lady of the tribe explained to us there ways and gave us loads of demos about there ways. They then dressed us up in there traditional clothes. The men were easy, just a head band and a poncho where as the girls had quite a bit more to put on. We then went out side in the rain and learnt about there believes and celebrations. We then got to dance and be a bit silly. Next we played a traditional game. It was basically hockey with a small goal. Lastly we went to another hut to have lunch. It was mainly all wheat based but the bread was amazing. We drank some herb drink that was amazing too. We then tried wheat tea and some Mate (mat-ty). This is an addictive herb that loads of South Americans drink hot (like tea).
As soon as we got back Sarah then went out to her go-ape thing. She will ha e to let you know if you want details as I wasn't there but she said it was fun all be it very wet. While she was out a few of us went to the casino. It was very confusing. I didn't win anything but Danielle managed to come away slightly up.
That evening Alberto was able to cook Mexican for us so we all stayed in and enjoyed that. Then got an early night ready for volcano attempt number 3.

Pucon - Day 28 - 27/10/2012 (Saturday)
Woke up at 6am, put on all our kit, made breakfast and lunch then the guys arrived... This time with a thumbs up. Very excited we jumped in the van and headed up the volcano. As we ascended the cloud started to get really thick and we started to worry if we'd be able to go. When the van stopped and let us out there were a number of other groups waiting to see if the fog would lift. We were told we could wait but not for long. The fog didn't clear, in fact it got thicker. For the 30 mins we were waiting we had to decide if we were going to go or not. Everyone kept changing their minds and then when the 30 minutes were up, some groups had gone up and others had left. When it came down to it the girls wanted to go and Simon and I thought it was pointless and decided to go down as there was no point walking through fog for 2 hours to be told we aren't making it to the top, plus we'd of seen nothing. At this point Sarah and I had very different days.
Neil: mine was very boring, we drive back down and when we got back looked up at the volcano and thought we'd made the right decision. About an hour later the driver came back to say he'd heard from the guide and they had ascended above the fog and the day was clearing up. Simon and I were gutted but it was to late to do anything about it. Seeing as we'd been sat around for 3 days not doing much we went to the pub to drown our sorrows. We then got lunch and went and sat by the lake.
Sarah: (has fallen asleep on the night bus so will get her to update this later).
When he girls got back from the volcano we sat around for a bit and waited as we had an 8:15pm night bus to Santiago.