We arrived around lunchtime so once we had checked in we went for lunch, a chicken schitzel napolitana, and then walked around the town together. We saw the civic square, the cathedral and the many chocolate shops. We went to the best one - Rapanui, for hot chocolate. Federico explained to us about the Argentinian custom to drink mate. A very strong tea that is made in a specific way with a metal straw and a special cup. They buy the herbs in what looks like a bag of flour. It is very sociable and they usually carry it around to drink with people with a thermos of hot water. We tried some tht he made but none of us were very keen!
The next day I choose to go on a day hike to Mt Tronador. It was a two hour bus ride on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere to Pampa Linda. It had a hostel there so seemed like a good base for people hiking around there. The walk was 5 hours and took us first to the black glacier - covered in rocks etc... with a lake and icebergs. Not disimilar from the tasman glacier. We then walked up the valley to a waterfall. On the way back the bus got a flat tyre so Claudia, Anna and I were late back for dinner. We were lucky not to have an accident as we could hear it was bad for a while before they actually stopped and looked at it.
Dinner was in El boliche de alberto - this was a fantastic steak, grilled chicken, served with chimichurri, salad and fries. Also the provoleta - provolone cheese grilled on the bbq with chilli and oregano.
The next day we took the bus across the border in to Chile, a 6 and a half hour ride to Puerta Varas. We crossed the border at cardenal samore. There was a sniffer dog which had to go along a line of everyones luggage and then a line of all the handbags. Luckily he didnt find anything!
We passed through the town of Osorno and had a great view of the osorno volcano. We checked in to Park inn and had a quick walk around the town to get orientated. Its on a big lake which looks across to two volcanoes.
We then went for dinner at a fish restaurant - salmon, vegetables (!) and potatoes. We then went for a drink before returning to the hotel.
