DAY 52 - FERRY DEPARTURE DAY

The day started out with us getting ourselves and the bikes checked in and in the process we met up with Lisa and Dean who had basically done the same trip as us only they were a few weeks ahead of us. They were getting off the ferry that we were going to board – they had no idea we would be there and were very surprised to see two people from the States that they knew. The ferry was supposed to depart around 5:30 but didn’t actually get going ‘till about 8:00 P.M. It made for a long day since we were at the boarding area at 9:00A.M. And we didn’t get to put our bikes on until 2:30 P.M. We had salmon for dinner that was very good and we went to bed around 8:30 – other than the fire alarm going off around 2:00 A.M. we had a good nights sleep. Someone was smoking in the kitchen and started a fire – not a big deal but it did wake everyone up.

Joe, Dean and Lisa.

 
What a difference the tide makes.
 

 
Market area.
 

 

 

 

 
Waiting in the stageing area to ride unto the ferry.
 

 
Our future home for a few days.
 

 
All tied down and covered up.
 

 
Puerto Montt from the water.
 

 
They gave us an orientation presentation so we would know what to expect - very professional.
 

This is the elevator that brought our bikes to the upper level.

 
Different docks for different boats, tides, etc.
 

 
Our spacious room - glad we didn't have 2 more people in there.
 

 
On our way.

DAY 51 - PUERTO MONTT

Today was a totally lazy day.  We walked down to a store and bought a few snacks for the boat trip.  We get 3 meals a day but you never know when a food emergency might pop up.  A few more city photos:

There are a lot of dogs that run loose in fact I don't even know if you can buy a leash South of the US.

Joe and I each had one of these; about half of mine went to a street dog.

I bought this in the super market - pretty good for $3.00

This will be the last post until at least next Tuesday when we get off the boat and if I don't have Internet where we stay it could be a few days after that.  If the weather permits I will try to stand outside on the boat long enough to send a few signals so you can track the boat.  I am looking forward to the boat trip - it should be beautiful.

DAY 50 - PUERTO MONTT, CHILE

I rolled over in bed this morning and grabbed my cell phone to check the temperature in Osorna - 41 degrees -- I pulled the covers backover my head.  A few hours later we went and had the breakfast that was included with our stay.  We finally got packed and headed to Puerto Montt and about 65 miles later we found the Hostel that we had checked out on the internet.  We unpacked then walked down to Navimag (Ferry Company) and made sure we were set up with the bikes for Saturday.  The good news was that we paid to be in a 4 person room (as opposed to a 16 people room) and we have it all to ourselves.  Now for some pictures:

We went to the fish market - one of the people at the ferry company said we could get a decent lunch there - as you can see there was plenty of fresh fish.

This was the special of the day.

This is what I had - it doesn't get much fresher.

Another day of waiting and we will be ready to get on the ferry.

DAY 49 - OSORNO, CHILE

We were rained in today.  We had planned to ride to Argentina to see the lakes region but decided not to ride voluntarily in the rain so we waited until the rain let up and walked downtown.  I thought the appliances were pretty unique:

Downtown was fairly busy.

The Town Square

Look close - the doors aren't even close to vertical.

Different places I saw on the walk around town - these folks have saved a ton of money on paint.

The roof is a bit rusty.

Great siding.

Nice contrast.

I think it is a pre-school.

The front of where we stayed.

We were in this building - note the guard dog. (no, he isn't dead)

Tomorrow we go to Puerto Montt, Chile - about 65 miles from here - to find a room to stay in until Saturday when we get on the ferry to go about 900 miles South to Puerto Natales.  We originally thought we were leaving on Friday but had our wires crossed.  Happy Trails - Vern

DAY 47 - 48 TO OSORNO, CHILE

We left Valparaiso and headed toward Santiago.  When we got there we missed a turn which costs us about 45 minutes - once you get off the toll roads it can be very hard to get back on - at least for us Gringos.  As we headed South I found it interesting that the crops would change as we got further South.

Vineyard - lots of these.

Cornfield.
                                    

Hay field.

Timber - lots of logging.

An interesting subdivision we passed - look how small the houses are.

We found a great Hostel in Osorno and this little resturant about a block away.

Now this is something you don't see very often.

Kind of a neat tap - this beer is from Bolivia - pretty good.

Joe & me enjoying our dinner.

Tomorrow we head over the Andes to Argentina.  Then we come back to Chile to get on a Ferry on Friday until Monday and by Wednesday we should be to our destination.  Thanks for riding along.