Southern Chile (Part I)

We just got home from a loooong and wonderful trip to the south.  We logged about 2,000 miles and now have a much better perspective of the geography of Chile.  We stayed in some very unique places and had quite an adventure!

Kuntsmann Brewery and restaurant in Valdivia.  Are we still in Chile?

 

Creepy German mannequin family.

 Lake Llanquihue

 Araucaria, or monkey puzzle tree.

Excellent German/Chilean food!

Teatro del Lago

 Early stages of the beard.

 

This is what the lake and Osorno volcano look like on a clear day!

 

 Puerto Varas.

 They never stopped performing!

 

Puerto Varas, Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon.

Fly fishing country

Mimi the three legged dog, I so wanted to take her home!

Our hotel was originally a farmhouse built by German immigrants and is run by the descendants.

Spooky family pictures.

 Lots o' taxidermy including a puma that had been in the area.

 The barn

 Amazing place to stay for families. Fresh milk from the dairy and eggs from the chickens for breakfast, along with homemade Kuchen!

Wait...what the hell is this nightmare inducing thing?

 Mimi & co. (she was always sitting on that other dog).

 Back in the saddle again!

 Chapel on the property.

Coming soon, Part II...

La Feria

My new favorite place here is the feria, or farmer's market.  It's in the dry bed of the Rio Marga Marga on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and it's HUGE!  Never have I seen so much fresh food.  There are seafood stalls and flower stands, too!!!!

 So much selection and variety along with friendly vendors. The prices are so low, and a friend showed me around and introduced me to her "caseros" or vendors she recommends and uses.

I bought all my ingredients for ceviche, including fresh ginger.  The reineta (white fish) was fileted for me and skinned.

Can't wait to go back!

We're traveling south next week to the lake region and upper Patagonia.  So excited to see volcanoes and penguins.  Post to follow!

Happy New Year (belated)!!!

Vina really knows how to ring in the new year!  Outside our apartment thousands gathered on the beach to watch the half hour fireworks spectacular.  I have NEVER seen fireworks this amazing! Eight platforms in the bay shot off simultaneous shows.  People were still partying well into the next day!

People-watching into the apartment behind us.  Everyone partying on their balconies.  Most of the year these apartments are empty so it was fascinating to see all the activity.