We arrived at Puerto Montt, Chile around 6:30 a.m. on a Monday morning. The anchor was dropped at 7:00 a.m. in Bahia De Puerto Montt (Bay of Puerto Montt) and tenders were lowered for transport to shore. Once the pontoons were opened and rigged, passengers were free to go ashore. The weather that day was in the upper 50F (15C) with a light breeze.
Rick and I had a tour planned for that day, which began at 8:00 a.m., so we got an early start as we boarded our tender and motored ashore. We got an awesome view of Osorno Volcano in the distance with its snow capped peak looking as if it was dipped in powdered sugar.
Rick and I had a tour planned for that day, which began at 8:00 a.m., so we got an early start as we boarded our tender and motored ashore. We got an awesome view of Osorno Volcano in the distance with its snow capped peak looking as if it was dipped in powdered sugar.
Once on land we met our tour bus at the tender pier. Our bus took us through the city of Puerto Montt and headed into the countryside. Our first stop was Osorno Volcano. Our drive took us past simple homes made from a range of materials from wood to waffled aluminum slabs. We passed farmland spread over large portions of open fields.
Along the way to Osorno, we passed Lake Llanquihue, one of South America's largest natural lakes. This lake remains a popular attraction for tourists, Chilean and otherwise, since the early 1900's and in the summers the area becomes a resort-like destination. Dotted along it's shoreline were many quaint lakeside towns, the largest being Puerto Varas.
Once we left the flat lands, our ascent took us up Osorno Volcano via a snakelike road that rose over 4,500 feet. The skies became cloudy and grey and the higher we got, the less visibility we had. The temperature began to fall the higher we climbed. Once at the base station of the volcano, we were in a fog-like cloud cover. It wasn't a good day for any photos with no sun and shortened visibility. The ground was barren and rocky and rust colored and looked as if we had arrived on Mars.
Osorno is a ski destination during the winter months and offers two chair lifts, a fully equipped lodge and a restaurant. Luckily for skiers and tourists, Osorno has remained dormant since the mid-1800's.
With no awe inspiring view from Osorno that day, we settled for free hot chocolate instead inside the lodge restaurant and we warmed up at their pot belly stove. Then we headed back to the bus and made our way back down the winding road to the foothill. There we headed to the Vincent Perez Rosales National Park to view the Petrohue Falls.
We followed a dirt footpath through some trees and brush to get to the falls.
As we got closer, we could hear the rush of water in the distance. These falls raged into the mighty Petrohue River which is considered, both nationally and internationally, one of the best rivers for recreational fishing, especially for salmon and trout. The water of the Petrohue was a beautiful shade of wintergreen as it frothed, roared and carved its way through black volcanic rock then spread out into a river below the falls.
Before we boarded our tour bus once more, I grabbed a Coke...one I hadn't seen before. The label was green and it was called Coca-Cola Life. It was sweetened with Stevia (a natural sweetener I actually use at home) and sugar. It tasted pretty good and I wondered if it would ever be introduced back in the U.S.
After the falls, we headed towards Puerto Varas, stopping on the way for some lunch. The restaurant we dined at was called Club Aleman Molino de Agua Restaurant, an old German water mill located on the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue. The sun came out and the skies had turned blue as we exited our tour bus. The restaurant staff greeted us with Pisco Sours, a great local refreshment made from a Muscat grape brandy, Pica lime, cane syrup and ice. Quite tasty, refreshing and sweet.
Before we boarded our tour bus once more, I grabbed a Coke...one I hadn't seen before. The label was green and it was called Coca-Cola Life. It was sweetened with Stevia (a natural sweetener I actually use at home) and sugar. It tasted pretty good and I wondered if it would ever be introduced back in the U.S.
After the falls, we headed towards Puerto Varas, stopping on the way for some lunch. The restaurant we dined at was called Club Aleman Molino de Agua Restaurant, an old German water mill located on the southern shore of Lake Llanquihue. The sun came out and the skies had turned blue as we exited our tour bus. The restaurant staff greeted us with Pisco Sours, a great local refreshment made from a Muscat grape brandy, Pica lime, cane syrup and ice. Quite tasty, refreshing and sweet.
As we enjoyed our drinks, we walked around the stunning grounds. The healthy green lawn was decorated with shrubs of beautiful flowers in full bloom. They had gorgeous hydrandreas.
There were two separate buildings - the old mill and the main house. We headed inside the larger main house with it's lovely long wooden porch. Tables were set and waiters stood by to begin serving our meal. Lunch consisted of several courses including delicious local salmon on a plank, homemade biscuits, never ending white and red local wines and apple strudel for dessert. Feeling full and satisfied after a good meal, Rick and I walked outside and headed to the old mill to explore. The interior was decorated in lovely antiques and had a very rustic ambiance. Out back, the old water mill turned.
Once the bus drove us back to Puerto Montt, our tour ended. It was around 4:00 p.m. and we were tired from a long day. So we went to the pier and took a tender back to the ship.As a side note, I enjoy trying new varieties of honey. We learned of a particular one made locally from an Ulmo tree whose flowers contain a highly appreciated aromatic nectar and is harvested by introduced European bees. The honey is called Miel de Ulmo. So Rick and I strolled through the shops looking for this honey to buy, but our search was unsuccessful... unfortunately.
Once the bus drove us back to Puerto Montt, our tour ended. It was around 4:00 p.m. and we were tired from a long day. So we went to the pier and took a tender back to the ship.As a side note, I enjoy trying new varieties of honey. We learned of a particular one made locally from an Ulmo tree whose flowers contain a highly appreciated aromatic nectar and is harvested by introduced European bees. The honey is called Miel de Ulmo. So Rick and I strolled through the shops looking for this honey to buy, but our search was unsuccessful... unfortunately.
It was St. Patrick's Day and the ship decorated its public areas with shades of green. So that evening, Rick and I stopped into one of our favorite lounges Club Fusion and checked out the festivities. Rick got some great photos of the lovely Jazzmin from the bar staff and Paul from Australia sporting some big frames.
Before we headed back to our cabin for the night, we went out onto the Promenade Deck (Deck 7) to see the brilliant moon lighting our way. Ahead of us were two more sea days then on to Valparaiso, Chile. Good bye Puerto Montt and good night.
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