January 2, 2009 Puerto Mott

January 2, 2009
Puerto Mott
We arrived early in Puerto Mott. We had an all day tour scheduled so we could view the Osorno Volcano and Petrohue Falls. Puerto Mott is located in the Lake District of Chili (about 42 degrees S. Latitude). The area has a number of really large lakes, cute charming towns, and an almost perfectly shaped Volcano.

Some interesting info on Chili. Our Tour Guide explained Chili as God’s Leftovers. What he meant was this. When God was done creating the earth, he had some extra deserts, lakes, mountains and glaciers. So it took them all and made: Chile.

We drove about an hour to the base of Osorno Volcano, and then it took almost an hour to ascend the switchbacks to the top (well to the location of the ski lodge).

This is a bridge to nowhere. I just think it’s a really cool photo.

We opted to take the first chairlift to get a higher view. It was a 12 minute trip up, and we have a great clear view of the Volcano. (There was a second lift that went even higher, but we didn’t have time for that one.

Once at the top we wondered around and took some pictures.

This is some vegetation that was growing on the slope

Then we climbed to the top of another hill where it was really windy. Trying to climb up wasn’t easy as the entire thing was made of pumice and was really loose, so with every step you would slid half way back down.

Overlook stop on the way down from the Volcano.

After the Volcano, the tour stopped at Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) for a some quick photos.

The reason it was quick wasn’t because we were running short on time, but because the area was filled with Tabanos, (basically a horse fly). They were huge and were attracted to dark colors and anything that moved. Some people would have 15+ swarming around or landing on them. They weren’t harmful but they were annoying, (Tabanos is the slang word in Chili for someone they find annoying).

Our tour also included lunch and a resort along the shores of the Llanquihue ( sounds like:Yan Kee Way) Lake. The Resort was named Yankee Way Lodge. Take a look at the view outside from our table. We could only guess how much a piece of lake property (including volcano view) would be worth in the United States.

They had a number of large Art Installations around the property. This one was carved out of an entire tree.

This one we think was a mosquito.

After lunch we traveled to Petrohue Falls, which aren’t really a water fall, they would be described at Rapids.

We took a number of really cool pictures as it was very pretty.

Check out the color of the water.

Gian Carlo and Sylvia.
Chili is broken into different sections one on top of each other. The deserts are to the north, the Lakes in the middle and the Glaciers at the bottom. The Lake district section was settled by German immigrants and is this is the area where they have all the dairy cows. (I really thought it looked like Wisconsin, but only with mountains and volcanoes.)

After the tour we had to wait in line and we were joined by a guy and his Alpaca. (Yes the alpaca is wearing a funny little hat). Jayson like the music and purchased the CD, (we have yet to listen to it).

Pictures of the Coast of Puerto Mott.