bus
Bus to Pucon
Leaving Junin our bus took us up over the Andes to Chile though a mountain pass under the Vulcan Lanin. This impressing volcano is over 3,000 meters tall with a permanent cap of snow and ice. The road gradually climbs into the mountains the landscape changing from steppes to the Aracaria forests common in this region. After passing into Chile the road plunges thousands of meters down into temperate jungles and placid farming valleys on the way to Pucon. There are more views of volcanoes and leading up to Vulcan Villarica which actually smokes!
Bus to Junin de los Andes
We had the most exciting bus ride of our lives getting from Bariloche to Junin de los Andes via San Martin de los Andes. The route took us up and over a mountain pass on a gravel road through a national park. Lush forests, glisten lakes and grand vistas on all sides was thrilling enough. To make it more intense the bus driver seemed intent on breaking some kind of speed record for the trip. We passed cars going uphill on gravel roads, played chicken with construction bulldozers and won, and took corners at speeds that would have a Nascar driver reaching toward the brakes.
36 Hour Bus Ride
We left El Calafate at 3 AM on a 36 hour bus ride to Bariloche. The trip would actually take us south-east out of our way to Rio Gallegos before turning north along the coast. After about 24 hours the bus heads inland again back towards the Chilean border and the mountain towns of Esquel, Bolson, Bariloche, San Martin and then keeps going to Mendoza.
We slept, ate the food we brought, watched a series of increasing bad movies and watched the Patagonian steppe give way to desolate coastline and then awoke the last morning to mountains, lakes, rivers and forested slopes.
Arriving in El Calefate
We left Chile behind to venture across the border into Argentina. Ben had prepared us for the horrors of customs and immigration from his prior trip across this particular border. To our pleasure and surprise Argentina could apparently care less what we brought into their country. Unfortunately we had needlessly ditched our mayo, mustard and peanut butter and I had pointlessly hidden my coffee, chocolate and other foodstuff contraband.
On the bus to El Calefate
Sadly we bid Chile goodbye for a few weeks to head over the border to El Calefate. This tourist town is the gateway to the Perito Morano Glaciar nestled within Parque Nacional Los Glaciars. We are anticipating great things from one of the world last advancing glaciers.
On the bus to Puerto Natales
After our plane ride through the late night we had to travel a further 3 hours by bus from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales. Jammie brings us up to speed.
On the bus to Algarrobo
We boarded a Pullman Sur bus in Valparaiso headed for the sunny beaches of Algarrobo.
Algarrobo Day 1
We left Valparaiso to head south along the coast to a little beach town named Algarrobo. We made arraignments to stay with Gonzolo a fellow CouchSurfer. He informed us that there is not much to do here except go to the beach and hang out. We thought that sounded awesome. Hang out all day with nothing to do and nowhere to go except some of the most beautiful beached in Chile! Alright...
Bus to Valparaiso
Our journey continues! We leave our Couch Surfing hosts, Jerome and Maru, in Santiago and head to the coastal city of Valparaiso. Vamos!
We made it to Santiago, what next?
Well we made it to Chile, but we aren't sure what will happen next.
