Road Trip!

So my new found British friends (Lucy and Dominick) and I set off for a road trip on the 20th after we disembarked from the Navimag. After a bit of usual delay, car keys in hand, we sped up highway 5 - a true highway- from Puerto Montt to Pucon. There we planned to climb a volcano. Seeing a country by car is a whole different experience. You stop where you want to stop, go where you want to go. The views from the highway were spectacular, especially a purple and pink sunset bathing the perfect, snow-capped cone of a volcano.
In Pucon, we got our fill of hot springs (went twice, once at midnight!), waterfalls and a volcano. See my pics and you´ll know. The Volcan Villarrica is a perfect cone capped with snow. We were geared up with water¨proof¨clothing, crampons and even a gas mask! We climbed about 3000 feet over the course of the morning to arive at the top for wonderful views and a noseful of sulfurous fumes! Going down may have been the best part as we did it on our butts!

And then there were two. Lucy and I parted way with Dominick and headed off in search of more hot springs. Our plan was to see the lakes region and we did so driving on dirt roads through gorgeous green farms and uninhabited lakes. The rains came which made us look at the map again. "Look! There are some hot springs!" Several lakes, bumpy roads and 5 hours later, we arrived at our destination, Aguas Calientes, Chile. Ready for a warm soak under the stars, we ran into the office to find the springs closed! So much for spontanaety.
But all was well, we found a perfectly cute little cabin on the shore of one of the largest area lakes and cooked ourselves a great dinner. Sometimes the best times happen when you least expect them.