Hi All,

I am now in Purto Varas, whihc is about 20kms north from Puerto Montt. Its a small lakeside place and has excursions to the snow topped volcanoes around the lake, one of which I am going to go on tommorrow.

I have spent the day chilling out and sorting out a few things really. yesterday I managed to book a 4 day boat trip from Purto Montt to Puerto Natales. Basically its a trip that goes all the way down the Southern Chile coast of Patagonia. If you want to know more, then click on www.navimag.cl

It was basically full so I have got a bunk bed thing below decks, and maybe close to the livestock and freight the ship transports. Should be an interesting experience even without the views. Apparently you get great chances to see penguins, whales etc and so should be good and so just killing a bit of time waiting for the ship as it only sails once a week.

On the down side just having a few issues with my flight from Santiago to Auckland, as apparently I havent got a confirmed seat, despite booking this 6 weeks ago, but am on a "waitlisting". Not sure how this works so in communication with my UK travel agent. It all adds to the confusion and enjoyment of a pretty unplanned round the world trip I suppose.

Peurto Varas has a Casino, so last night I managed to loose a few pounds on the old roulette table.

Southern Chile is very unusual, The landscape looks like new Zealand or Eurpoe even, and because it ws the Germans who initially settled here, lots of the signs etc are in German and lots of German visitors.

I dont know....In Argentina I tried hard not to mention the War (Malvinas). I finally get away from Argentina and now find myselkf at breakfast surrounded by Germans....no war stories agian then, not that I am old enought to have been in it!

The food around here also has a German bend to it and there is a large German type restaurant/bar/social club in town....I may go there tonight.

Oh, and a final note....the local best draught brew is called....wait for it.....Kunstmann......can you believe it!

Over N out...

Smiffy