BOTTOM LINE:
Drove from Bariloche, Argentina to Valdivia, Chile
NOTE WORTHY:
We are making 4 trips across the Andes as we zig zig between Chile and Argentina. We were a bit concerned about bad weather, summer snowstorms, gravel roads, and speeding logging trucks. We now have 2 crossings under our belt and so far no problems!
BACK STORY:
After breakfast and turning in our keys, we loaded our car and drove away from Cathedral Hotel at 9:40am. All indicators showed that it would be a six hour drive.
We drove around the far side of Lake Nahuel Huapi opposite Bariloche before heading northwest crossing the Andes Mountains and into Chile again.
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| Bruce on far side of Lake Nahue Huapi |
On the northeast edge of the Lake was the resort town of Va La Angostura. The town was both a summer and winter destination for tourists and vacationers. Water sports and mountain bikes dominate the summer scene. The area boasts a large ski resort for the winter guests. The town is affluent and has an upscale resort feeling.
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| Bavarian influences in Va La Angostura |
The climb up into and across the Andes Mountains was far from intimidating. I had some trepidation before, but the little rental car made it through the pass without a problem.
About half way up the mountain we came to our exit point for Argentina. Directly across from where we stopped was an alpine lake with a two-toned sand colored beach. Looking closer I saw a number of people squatting down with sticks stirring the sand. Looking closer it appeared to be like "quick sand." Bruce walked over and reported back that it was pumice like small stones that were floating on the water in very thick formation.
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| Pumice floating on lake appears to be beach |
The line for leaving Argentina was quite long but within 30 minutes we had cleared the check point.
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| Check Point at border crossing |
The views from the top of the pass were reminiscent of WA State and the Mt St Helens eruption of 1980. Puyehue Volcano erupted in 2011 and the mountainside in Argentina was covered with thick volcanic pumice, ash and residue. All standing vegetation was dead yet undergrowth of green growth gave hope for healing.
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| Puyehue Volcano |
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| road through Andes Mtns. lined with volcanic ash |
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| volcanic ash and cross |
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| Volcanic damage |
About three miles from the summit we came upon the checkpoint for entering Chile. It was a complete standstill. Officers directed us where to park. We sat and sat and sat some more. As if in unison both Bruce and I noticed that people had gotten out of their cars, had returned and were driving away. We figured out that we needed to get out of our vehicles, bringing all passports, itinerary and car documentation to a building where we would go through a three point immigration.
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| Chile crossing in Andes Mtns. |
Once we understood the routine, we noticed an illuminated sign that announced the closing of the crossing at 4pm...it was 3:45pm! Luckily we cleared without a problem and as we left, the line was about fifty cars deep. I wondered what happened at 4pm.
We figured the heavy traffic was because summer break was ending and school begins this next week. We later found out that the border crossing is typically that slow and sometimes longer.
The Chilean side of the mountain was lush, green and healthy...filled with farmlands and dotted with small villages.
We finally arrived to our hotel in Valdivia about 7:15pm...nearly ten hours! The
hotel sat on the shores of the Valdivia River. The weather was beautiful and the perfect setting for the wedding that was about to take place at our hotel.
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| Valdiva River |
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| Valdiva River #2 |
After settling into our room we returned to reception area and took our "welcome" drink in the lobby where we could watch for the brides arrival out the window. It was such a lovely setting for the ceremony.
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| Hotel room with river balcony |
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| hotel hosting wedding |
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| wedding guests on river deck |
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| wedding venue |
Unlike US weddings, everyone stood in a circle around the couple to watch them exchange their very short vows. We were very concerned about the weight of the guests on the wooden deck that cantilevered over the river. Luckily it held up! Can you imagine!?? We have seen many safety compromises that would not have been acceptable in the US.
We headed up the street for dinner and in search of a acquaintance. While in in New Zealand we befriended Javier a cafe owner who grew up in Valdivia, Chile. We asked him if he would recommend a restaurant and the owners name that he might know. He did, so we were on the hunt to pass on a message from New Zealand. We found the restaurant easily, passed on the message and enjoyed and wonderful dinner. It was a gourmet version of a buffet.
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| Restaurant of friend's friend from NZ |
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| Pahia, New Zealand friends, friend and restaurant owner |
Returning to the hotel, we could hear the wedding reception ramping up. The music finally ended at 5am! I can't imagine the condition of any of the guests let alone the newly married couple to have partied for ten hours.
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| evening wedding party |
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