Puerto Varas

We took Sky airline, Chile's 2nd largest airline from Puerto Natales to Puerto Varas which is on lake Llanquihue in the Chilean lake district. The flight was super smooth and we had nice views of lakes, harbors, and landscape below. The Puerto Natales airport was probably the smallest airport I have ever been to. People were also actually surprised that we got a flight as most folks had to drive 5 - 6 hours to Punta Arenas for their flights. But nestled in a blog somewhere I found that Sky flies 3 times a week from Puerto Natales to Puerto Varas on its way to Santiago during the summer only and our Ecocamp checkout day coincided conveniently. Also the Puerto Varas airport, El Tepual which serves both Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt was probably one of the cleanest and whitest airports ever.

Our airport transfer arranged by the B&B was waiting for us and we waited for 2 others flying in from Santiago that had been delayed due to the wind. The lovely inn is actually owned by an American who seems to have really established herself here as she also owns a shop in the town and supposedly started one of the local restaurants and then sold it.

Amanda and I had opted for the bunk room for 4 people that was $30 a night per person. They are 4 lovely beds (not actual bunk beds) and luck would have it, no one else is scheduled for the room. Amanda and Cyn for the win! Also I noticed 4 of the pictures are Korean drawings. I must be really tired because I was like, why are the people in these drawings wearing Korean clothes and hats? Destiny.

We wandered downtown for dinner to a restaurant called Mediterraneo. We had pisco sours, carmenere wine, salmon ceviche, abalone with 3 dipping sauces, short ribs and a beef dish. The view was pretty but it had started to rain. Also we enjoyed the music - cover songs of 80's music which sounded like a lounge singer whose first language was not English. Amazing.

Tomorrow will be our lake crossing back across the border into Argentina and an overnight bus to Neuquen as the Bariloche airport's renovations were extended (airport was suppose to reopen before Christmas). Should be a fun 2 days and should probably get some rest!