Pucon - Volcan Villarica (photos updated - click here)

I have just returned from one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. A three hour (practically vertical) hike through volcanic rock and ice to reach the top of Volcan Villarica, which over looks the town of Pucon. At a fraction under 3000 metres it is one of the tallest peaks in this stretch of the Andes (although quite modest compared to the heights further North).

Not only was the view from the top of the volcano stunning, but the huge bursts of lava that rocketed skyward from huge swells surging from somewhere within the mountain just stopped us in our tracks, amazed by the unbelievable power of this thing. The intense bright orange of the molten lava won't be done justice by the photos, our breaths were completely taken away - also because of the gases in the air stung our noses and throat.

The trip back to buses at the bottom of the mountain involved a large amount of sliding down on our backsides using the ice picks as the brakes. We finally arrived at the bottom utterly exhausted and ravenous for a thick chorizo (steak), which we will follow up with a laze in the hot springs under the stars this evening.

Pucon is a beautiful little town set on a lake with snow capped volcanoes surrounding, fortunately for Pucon, Volcan Villarica is the only one that is active. Yesterday we hired bikes and rode around, finding a vast field of wild blackberries that we feasted on until our bike time had expired, then went for a swim in the lake (bit nippy) and kicked our football around.

Going back in time another day - San Martin de los Andes was our one night stop over before reaching Pucon. Again, a pretty little town set on a lake surrounded by peaks. We hired a canoe and sped around the lake taking the odd pause to admire the scenery. The most memorable thing about San Martin are the million rose bushes that produce the best smelling roses we have ever smelt in our lives.

Endeavouring to catch a bus to Santiago tomorrow night. This has probably been one of the highlights of the trip so far, am still in disbelief.

(click the title of the post to go to the Chilean photo album - photos should be up very soon. By the way, we also have a fair bit of video footage so far that we will try and upload somehow)