Wednesday 30th December 2009

After breakfast we decided that we would go and visit the Termas Geometricas, as the weather was not looking good and the cloud was low.

We drove out of Pucon alongside Lago Caburgua, but missed the turning for the springs. So instead, when we realised we had made a mistake we deided to go and visit the Ojos of Caburguas, some waterfalls. At the entrance to the falls, you could either walk in or take the car. As it was only 800m to the falls we decided to walk.

On the way we saw some chicks who came running to see us, probably expecting food.

Later we saw a turkey with three chicks.

The falls are two separate falls, tumbling from different directions into the same blue pool.

Back on the right road, we headed towards the Termas but the route was very rough, and we no longer have a 4WD. We decided it would be best to take another route there. On the way back there were piglets in the carriageway. Nearby their mothers were staked down with sticks, perhaps to avoid them rolling on to their young. It seemed cruel.

As it was now mid afternoon, we decided to postpone our visit to the Termas. Instead we sorted out the internet connection so we could blog. To get a signal we have to sit on a bench outside.

We posted some photos from the days before.

After that we strolled into town. On Lake Villarica there were speed boats.

Trips up the volcano, kayaking, canopy trails, horseriding, etc were on offer everywhere. Though the weather was bad, some of the operators were rather cynically posting signs saying the weather would be good the next day. This is to attract people to prebook the ascent of the volcano and other trips. If the weather is bad, according to the guidebook, you still pay full price if they take you part of the way up the volcano, or expect you to wait until the next good weather day.

There are signs in town which tell you what to do if the volcano erupts - which it has not done since 1984. As you can see, there is also a traffic light system and it was green today.

Though we'd both like to do the ascent of the volcano to its smoking summit, we could see the weather was not going to improve.

Ate in the cabana, despite plenty of options for veggies in town.