April 12,

Up and about at 0700. We had our Javas and breakfast of oatmeal while we packed. We were ready to go by 0940. Jeff called an Uber and our host came down to get the key. We said goodbye and loaded into the Uber, arriving at the bus station by 1000. We got checked in, and filled out a required Chilean border form.

At 1036, the bus started out, taking the same route we did a couple of days ago on the Camino de Los Siete Lagos. Right out of the towns, we saw two different herds of sheep- one being herded by a motorcyclist! The visibility is excellent, but there is more wind with the lake white capping a bit. At 1155, we pulled into Villa La Angostura bus terminal, picked up a few more passengers; and by 1200 we were back underway. It’s a little different view since we sit so high in the bus. Then we came to the Hwy 231 turn off – at Lake Espejo. We’ll take this to the border, so it’s a new road now for us. We wind around Lago Totoral. We ate a small sandwich each.

At 1228, we arrived at the Argentine side of the border crossing & 1230, the bus pulled over and parked. We all got out and showed our passports; and for the inspection- a black lab dog (nice looking one) sniffed the luggage in the compartment below. By 1313, we were all back aboard and underway. That was fairly quick! A sign right past the station showed Limite de Chile 17 km, so just over ten miles to the border. We crossed at 1332. The pass area is rather sandy with the road improved on the Chilean side. Then the landscape changed back to ground cover and what seemed to be dead trees? There was a backdrop of an impressive peak though as we drove. At 1355, we came to Chile’s Border crossing. We went through passport control and actually got a stamp. Then they x-rayed our carry-on bags. The couple in front of us (from Seattle) were stopped. He had nuts in a baggie that were confiscated and she had medications they cleared. I had my medicines checked and cleared also. This is a first in all our travels. Anyway, it took longer to get through as they went through everyone’s stuff. Finally everyone loaded up and was underway again by 1452.

As we descend, the forest is more lush because this is the rainy side of the mountains. Also as we descend, our busdriver keeps hitting his max speed, because an alarm sounds and he then brakes. We crossed the Puyehue river again, but it is larger now, and shortly the river becomes the Puyehue Lake. Then like that we are out of the Andes and the landscape changes to farmland: cattle, horses, sheep, and lots of crops. At 1600 we arrived in Osorno, and we were one hour behind, as we still have at least one hour to our destination. In a couple minutes we arrived at this bus station. The Seattle couple got off here with some others. At 1613 we backed out to continue on. Saw lots more cattle, some sheep, some pigs, and even llamas, not guanacos. There was a perfect, classical conical peak to our left. At 1720, we stopped at Puerto Varas and many more exited – not many left on the bus now. Finally we arrived at Puerto Montt and the bus station by 1743. Our hotel was literally right next door, and by 1755 we were checked in and in our room.

We unloaded and realized it is only 1655. Chile does a daylight saving time that started this month. We then left in search of supper and found Pollo Loco- got ½ of a rotisserie chicken and fries as takeaway. Back in our room we ate supper with a malbec we had. Then I blogged as the day left us. What a transition day- back over the Andes.

Welcome to Puerto Montt, Chile!!!