Packing up a wet and muddy tent, after picking off some giant slugs, wasn’t much fun. It rained again during the night, but was clearing when we got up. We went into Los Lagos to look for bread rolls. I was just coming out of the Panaderia, with the rolls, when the heavens opened. Fortunately, Dennis was able to park close to the shop, so I didn’t get too wet.
Threatening weather.
Once back on Highway 5 it rained for about 20 minutes then the skies cleared. Blue with some white puffy clouds. The countryside is very grassy and green. Due no doubt to the rainfall here. Lots of beef cattle and large milking herds. Some grain growing too.
We arrived in Puerto Montt, where we planned to stop for lunch, soon after 1300. Hoping to find a place to park next to the ocean, it took us a while to find somewhere. Chile doesn’t seem to do parking places beside water, especially with nice views. It was the same yesterday when we wanted to stop by a lake. The lakesides are taken up with private property and you cannot get close.
Main Street Puerto Montt
It didn’t take long for it to arrive!!
Carretera Austral
We had just parked and once again the rain came down. After lunch we set off along Ruta 7. This road is known as the Carretera Austral and is the ‘must drive’ route for overlanders. Unfortunately, it rained heavily all afternoon and with the low cloud, it wasn’t possible to appreciate the views.
Hugging the coast with sea views, small villages with pastel hued houses and mountains we look forward to some fine weather to see more. This coastline is very fragmented with islets and fjords so every so often it is necessary to take a ferry to bridge the gaps in the road.
Ferry
This afternoon we needed to catch a ferry between La Arena and Caleta Puelche. As we were driving down to the crossing point we saw a ferry leaving. They run every 30 minutes. There was quite a queue of traffic and we didn’t make the next ferry. We were doubtful if we would make the third one, but we just squeezed on. The journey was very smooth. Just rain, but no wind to make it choppy. It took just 30 minutes.
Our campsite was close by so within 10 minutes we had arrived. Our host is Colombian, from Bogotá and speaks good English. Tomorrow we have a longer ferry crossing. I could not make the ferry company’s website work. Our host said it was useless and also that route is expensive. He recommended a different route, which I have now booked.
We will catch a ferry at 1900 tomorrow evening from Pichicolo to Ayacara. We then need another ferry ride from Ayacara to Gonzalo. This ferry leaves at 0700 on Thursday Morning. Apparently it is the same boat and they will allow you to stay on board and sleep in your vehicle. We hope this information is correct!
Antarctica
For the last few days I have been liaising with various companies regarding a last minute Antarctic cruise booking. Today I have committed us to a 12 day trip. This will include Christmas, so we hope this will be memorable. It’s a lot of money, “but we can’t take it with us”.
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