ARGENTINA!!! The Lakes Region of Patagonia - 1st Day

On Thursday the 11th, we got on a huge tour bus early in the morning and took a 6 hour ride to Bariloche, Argentina, a community settled by German and Swiss residents in the first half of the 20th century.

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Leaving the city of Puerto Montt, Chile and driving east through the countryside, the landscape was reminiscent of driving through Missouri, USA, ...

Well, except for the snow covered volcano and 

very tall mountains. 

Farmland, cattle and farm houses dotted the land and made me very homesick to be back in the USA and visit my family.

This was our ride. It was quite comfortable 

and we could see so much from our seats on top.

As we crossed over into Argentina it started to remind us of Wyoming.

After more than 41 years, Darryl is back in Argentina.

The city of Bariloche is located on the shores of Lago Nahuel Huapi, a huge lake surrounded by tall majestic mountains. This photo is on the opposite side of the lake from Bariloche.

This area of Argentina is a grand tourist attraction. And there are 4 main reasons to visit the area. During the winter months many 'Northern Hemisphere' skiers come here to keep in shape and hone their skills in these beautiful Andes Mountains.

In the summer months it is a beautiful and cooler alternative to staying in the big cities, The fishing in this lake is great and the vistas are stunning. And of course, some come for the Chocolate.  (click here to see what I am talking about)

After driving several more miles, we could finally see Bariloche in the distance.

When we arrived in Bariloche, we made it to our hotel, did a quick change of clothes and headed out for a tour with our cabbie. I was surprised to see so many people swimming in the lake. I felt the water and believe me, it was COLD! Much like swimming in Lake Superior or Michigan, or for my friends in Idaho, Little Limhi. 

Our cab driver drove us about 10 or 12 miles out of town to a ski lift so we could view the entire area around Bariloche. 

(That strange looking tree sprouting out of my head is native to this part of South America and is an Araucaria Arucana Tree, the national tree of Chile. And yes my children, the chickens are named after the tree.)

It was about 85 degrees and a beautiful clear day. Perfect for this ride.

Our view from the top.

See this handsome man? I cannot tell you how excited and happy he was to be back in Argentina. In 1975 he left his family and friends and schooling for 2 years to serve a church mission to Argentina. 

It was such a spiritual lift for him and I wish I could explain the joy I could hear in his voice as he talked with the cab driver and others about how he once lived in Argentina. (I believe when the cab driver asked Darryl where he learned Spanish and Darryl told him he used to live in Mendoza, Argentina, that's when the Cabbie offered to give us a private tour of the area. The Cabbie was excited to have Darryl back in Argentina!)

If you ever get to South America, I highly recommend a visit to this beautiful place. 

This is the big resort outside of town, the Llao Llao Hotel, Resort, Golf, etc. 

FYI - We did not stay here. It was around $600 a night. We stayed in town.

But it was a very beautiful place to see.

So, you think I am done with my Bariloche post? HA! Not hardly. This is only the first day and we were there for three days! Be sure to visit again for more fun and photos of the town, the Chocolate, the Chocolate Museum, the Teleferico Cerro Otto and more!

Visiting Puerto Montt, Patagonia, Chile

Darryl and I took a vacation from work for a couple of days and decided to see some more of this beautiful country where we are currently residing. On Tuesday, February 9th we flew to Puerto Montt, near the lake region on Patagonia, the southern most city (of any size) in Chile.

One of the first things I noticed when we stepped of the plane in Puerto Montt, was the smell of wood and pine. Having lived in concrete apartments in both China and Chile, the glorious smell of the fragrance of cut wood is something you never get. It was refreshing.

The area is located on a huge bay that is shielded from the Pacific Ocean by the island of Chiloe. I was surprised to find people swimming in what I was sure had to be frigid water.

We stayed at the Versailles Hotel which was very nice..

The decor in the upper hallway was interesting. Fish skin/scales dyed different colors and framed.

But the views of the ocean and farmland from our room was nice.

We walked over to the water, and I had to see how cold it was. I was pleasantly surprised, it was actually quite warm. Much warmer than the water farther north at Valparaiso and Viña del Mar.

I really wanted to go swimming, but it was after 7:00 p.m. and we were getting hungry for some dinner.

We walked to the Keil Restaurant, about 1/4 mile from the hotel.

The Kiel's immigrated to Chile from Germany in the early 1970's and the couple who started the restaurant still run it. 

The Paella was fabulous!

And the ambiance.... oh my goodness. This is decking and a ships wheel from some old boat.

The logs and the lodge type, rustic interior was warm and inviting,

They have a spring of cold water running through the place and the bottled water is kept there to keep cold. The "Creek" runs under the bar, which is made of an old sailboat. 

Thursday morning we got up early and headed into town to find some breakfast and to see if there was anything fun to do. There was... it's called shopping!

The Huaso store (That's what a Chilean cowboy is called) was especially interesting to Darryl and I.

We wandered down to the little shopping/port village of Angelmo and found quite a bit to see and do.

This is the dried, oysters, clams, scallops, muscles, and a whole lot more. You just buy a string and eat them right off the "raffia" rope.

The tide was way, way out when we arrived in Angelmo for breakfast, as you can tell by these photos.

There were many little shops and restaurants to choose from. I loved the tables and chairs in this place. 

This is not only a tourist place, but also where many locals shop. I loved going by the different cheese vendors.

One of the nice hotels in downtown.

We ate lunch at the Sherlock Pub. It was quite nice. 

As we travel we seem to find that every town has that "One" thing that is unique to the town. That one attraction that everyone wants to have their picture taken with and that adorns, key chains and magnets. For some reason, this huge sculpture in their seaside park is the "One thing" for Puerto Montt. I don't get it. 

Hey look, the tide came in. This is the same boat, in the same place as in the first picture. The only difference was the time. This was about 4 or 5 hours later.

We found the fish market. It was quite interesting. Love the hanging squid and the shark.

And finally, I just had to buy this adorable poncho for somebody's birthday!!! (actually, she asked me to get this for her.)

There's more to come from our Southern Most vacation. Stay tuned for more..

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY GABRIEL

Yes, this handsome boy turned 3 years old. What a blessing he is to all of us. He really is one of the happiest little boys you will ever meet!

Love you bunches "Big Guy"!

Birthday morning mommy let him  have a birthday cupcake for breakfast.

Then Gabe and his big brother, Toby the dog, played with his new Hot Wheels car.

Our boy having some sticker fun!

Gabe is such a good big brother to his little brother J.J.

and he loves his cousins!

Sometimes being such a good, big boy can be really tiring.

Love you Gaberiel!!! Happy, Happy Birthday to you!