Lake District Getaway: Segment 5-- Island of Chiloe

We said "chao chao" to Puerto Varas and hopped in the car to drive SW where we boarded a ferry that would take us to the 2nd largest island in Chile (1st being Tierra del Fuego), Chiloe.  

 As soon as we got on the island we headed straight for Punihuil where we heard penguins would be waiting for us.  We were pleasantly surprised when the long, tiny, dirt road opened up to this beautiful expanse of coastline with a handful of boats lined up waiting for eager tourists :)  We donned our life jackets, explored the tide pools full of starfish and crabs, and waited for our turn.

We hit it a perfect time.  

We got to ride in the boat and watch the penguins struggle to climb to safety after catching their dinner.

 

We also got to see some other really interesting birds!   

Couldn't understand the Spanish Guide when he explained what they were--I need to look them up.

 It was too pretty to leave right away.  And plus, we stopped to check into our room before coming here, and no one was too excited to get back to it!!!  Let's just say mildew, NASTY carpets, and opting not to shower might give you an idea... you can do anything for one night, right???  

 So we stayed a while and enjoyed what we love most.

 No color enhancement here-- Pink and Green seaweed.  Amazing.

The kids were sure something magical was going on in the water.

Great first day in Chiloe.

Lake District Getaway: Segment 4--Volcan Osorno

 The day we decided to hike Volcan Osorno, the air was warm and the sky was clear.  Perfect.  

 We did discover there are these enormous black flies that have branded this region their home.  Biggest things I've ever seen.  They caused a few screeches from our car... but didn't seem to bother Jake.  

He's the man.  

 Getting pumped up for the start of our climb

 Caught a lizard half way up and had to give it some love.  We should have fed it some of the flies... oh wait-- the flies were twice it's size.  No joke.  

 The steps we were supposed to take on our path didn't quite stay their course, but we did!

You never know what may lie ahead in life.  Follow the straight and narrow and don't chase the wayward ways...  Always teaching moments even on a volcano :)

 We made it!!!  The kids wanted to go all the way up to the snow, but it took us long enough to get to the end of the trail.  We figured we'd call it good.  

Lake District Getaway: Segment 3--Lago Todos Los Santos

 We decided to take a boat ride across the Lago Todos Los Santos to the town of Peulla because we heard that the minerals in the lake make it an emerald gem.  Unfortunately the day of our ride, the sky was full of clouds.  At least we didn't have rain!!!  Grateful for that.

On our way there, we stopped to see the waterfalls of the Petrohue river.

Cold, but neat to see.  That is Volcan Osorno behind us, covered in clouds.

 Then we boarded the boat to the town of Peulla.

 There is an option to go all the way across the lakes and through the mountains and end up in Bariloche, Argentina--but you needed a couple of days to make that happen, and we didn't have quite enough time.  We'll have to hit the chocolate capital of Argetina another time.

 After the chilly ride, we arrived in Peulla to explore the tiny, remote village.  

Only 5 students at the local school!

 We got to meet and feed all sorts of animals...including emu's!  They truly are enormous creatures and  those feet look like they emerged straight out of the dinasour age.  This one had a thing for Kate.  After she fed him, he continued to walk with us around the entire farm.  I always knew she was good with animals...

 Even with llamas and reindeer!

 Jake was all for feeding the goats and the reindeer, but steered clear of the big birds and overly friendly llamas.  Our guide wanted us to meet the reindeer, but they were high up in the hills.  The next thing we knew, he was laying on his horn over and over again!  What was he doing?!!!  Apparently that is how they get the attention of the deer!  They better not ever release these guys into back into "nature" or they are in trouble!!

 A slight glimpse of the emerald green of Todos Los Santos.  I can only image how beautiful it is on a clear day!  Luke slept the entire time we were there.  He woke up just as we were boarding the boat to head back to Puerto Varas.  

 Jake didn't mind the chill.  He loved watching the water come spitting out of the back of the boat.  

 So far Chile has been good to us :)