OFF THE BEATEN PATH IS WHERE THE ADVENTURES ARE

Friday, January 22, 2010

The town of Hornopiren has 5,000 citizens. It thrives off fishing, the ferry and tourism. There is a volcano nearby and one of the popular attractions is the hot spring which can only be reached by boat. During the winter months you may find downhill skiers here. Many young people come to Hornopiren to spend time during the summer months and for those how take the Austral highway it is an important stop. The rest of the south is connected via the ferry which leaves from here.

After a quick stop at the tourism office we continue north. Our first stop is at the Pichicolo Hot Springs. A wonderful setting with rivers, waterfalls, tropical trees and the natural springs. A young man guides us through the forest area, explaining how the springs developed and how a guest can take advantage of all it has to offer. He suggests, that after spending 10 or 15 minutes in the hot springs, to bath in the river beside it. “It’s a great sensation” he tells us to go from the 40-45 degree hot spring water into the cold mountain water.

We have the option of driving through the mountains straight to Contao or take to coastal road with a little detour and drive along all the small fishing communities. Well, the adventure always lies where others normally do not travel, so we opt for the detour.

The first part is a thick forest similar to the other part we have visited along the Austral highway/gravel road. The climate is a bit milder here and today we are really lucky. We have a clear blue sky.

We pass a number of small fishing communities. Every one of them has its only character. There may only be a dozen homes, but as many or more fishing boats. Every community however, how small it may be has it’s own little church and a community hall. The only traffic we encounter is the odd local truck.

In the first community Hualaihué we get out of the car to watch the activities along the rocky beach. Some families are collecting algae for export to Japan, where it is used for perfume and medicine, to name just a few. Others are collecting clams for their evening meal or to sell, if they collect enough.

Further down along the coast we see the buzzards feasting on a meal of young penguin.

Being in this area where Ramiro has worked for five years during his teenage years, all sorts of stories and memories are coming up.

I find it hard to believe that penguins actually live here, but as we continue along the coast line at the next community of Chauchil, we actually see a giant rock with many penguins.

The first thing getting our attention in Rolecha is the cemetery, right along the coastal road. It is so colorful, the sun rays creates a sea of glitter on all the decorations placed at the graves.

We find a perfect spot of a lunch and treat ourselves to Flan de Leche.


 We arrive in Contao late in the afternoon.
This is a very special moment for Ramiro; Returning after 40 years to the place he once worked and started a family, brings back many memories.


I have started a separate blog for our visit to Contao.