First off, you can check out the pictures from this weekend and all my photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/jbizer3
This past weekend I planned on keeping busy so I wouldn't just be thinking about how my parents had just left to go back home so when an opportunity to travel to Pucon came up with two of my friends from Australia, Laura and Rowena I was excited to go.
We took an overnight bus, a ten-hour ride, down to Pucón on Thursday night since it was a national holiday and none of us had classes on Friday. Also by taking the overnight bus we saved money by not having to pay for a hostel that night. We arrived friday morning at about 9ish and made our way to Hospedaje Lucia where we were greeted by a very friendly Lucia and then walked a tour of the city and picnic lunched at the shores of Lake Villarica. With the view of a snowcapped Volcán (volcano) Villarica in the distance it seemed like something out of a Disney movie, however climbing that volcano was anything but a ride at Disneyland...
We booked a package deal and saved money through the company Sierra Nevada for climbing the volcano on Saturday, the termas (hot springs) Saturday night, and white-water rafting the Rio Trancura Sunday afternoon.
Thursday Night concluded with possibly the best falafel Chile has to offer in one of the few Middle Eastern themed restaurants in the country who serve actual Middle Eastern dishes. As we returned to the hospedaje to get ready for bed in order to prepare to the 6:00am morning, what is on the news but a volcanic explosion…
Down in Chaitén, further south from where Mom, Dad and I traveled, a volcano erupted, however as of that time there were no fatalities but nevertheless, it’s not the news you want to see when your planning on getting closer to and climbing up a volcanic summit the next day.
Saturday started bright and early as we made our way to the shop to get our gear on and head to the volcano. The group was made up of the three of us, a guy from Australia, a couple from Ireland, and two guides. We drove near the base then started the long trek up the volcano through rock and snow. We got to wear crampons to walk better in the snow on the way up and after about 4 hours of walking filled out with 5 breaks or so we made it to the top. There wasn’t any boiling lava to see but there was plenty of sulfuric gas to breathe as we hiked around the volcanic crater. On the way down, in the snow-covered areas we strapped on a protective diaper of sorts then got to slide on our bums down the mountain; I learned quickly how to go fast but wasn’t quite as talented at the whole stopping thing, haha.
Our group half jokingly decided that if a movie were to be made about the hike up the volcano it would be called Volcan Villarica: Remember the Pain.
That night we made a delicious pasta dinner then headed out to the thermal springs to let our muscles relax before we used them again in the white water rafting the next day. At the thermal springs we met another group of intercambios some from Católica, others from La Chile (Universidad de Chile). We had a good time relaxing in the hot springs and some of us even braved the 300meter dash from the firs to the last hot spring in the complex.
The next day we were able to sleep in since no one was coming to check into our room that day, we were able to have a easy brunch and leisurely get our stuff together for the white-water rafting. At 2 we made our way over to the office and met up with the group, our guide, the van driver, a videographer, a photographer, a kayaker, and the office worker who was taking a day in the river. With only 5 ladies in the raft (all Australian but for me) we had more helpers than customers so it felt pretty safe. It was the first time I had done rafting in a wetsuit; they gave us all the gear, shoes, suit, shorts, jacket, gloves, helmets, and of course paddles (we wore our own swimsuits underneath it all, gotta be hygienic). After going through the instructions we set out for our first rapid.
What made this trip more interesting was that the rapids were actually more like waterfalls than rolling rapids, which is what I am more used to. Also the water level was slightly lower so that could account for that. There was one class 6 rapid we had to hike around but once past it we got to jump in from about 5 meters up. It was fun, but COLD. I had kinda guessed we would jump since they told us they had a “surprise” after the rapid but Laura and Row were definitely surprised. Row said it was the highest she’s ever jumped from.
After the rafting we celebratedwith some small cookies and a little pisco sour. I think the plan was to get us a little tipsey so we would buy the video and pictures of the trip. We ended up coordinating with the other Australians in the group and all went in to share the pictures. Once I have them I will post them on my picture albums, I’m sure there are some great shots in there!
All in all it was an amazing trip and I’m so glad I got to do it. WE were really lucky in terms of weather since on Sunday climbing the volcano couldn’t have happened cause of the clouds and literally as we stepped in the van after rafting it started to rain. Considering we went in the off-season and it was supposed to be raining the whole time we definitely lucked out.
This week I have to get back to classes and after the past 2 weeks filled with parents, traveling, and adventure, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to pay attention in a classroom.
However I have a new mission now, planning K and Rah’s visit!!!!! T-minus less than 2 weeks!!!
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