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The Craze for Travelling
The Craze for Travelling

The Craze for Travelling

Travelling is a passion, and I've been on it since my childhood (courtesy my dad). My passion has led me all around the globe from high altitude deserts, to rain forests, to back waters, to snow covered peaks. You name it!! Read more🇸🇪Stockholm
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  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    To Hornopiren

    January 3, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We woke up at around 9:15 am and got ready quickly. The owner wasn't there but his wife was there. She was a bit more sympathetic and polite. She agreed to the price of 58000 CLP we had wanted the previous evening as long as we pay by cash and cancel our booking.
    We told her we had written to booking.com and were waiting for theor response and that we'll pay by 10 am if we don't hear back. In the meantime, booking.com called my Swedish number since I had given that in the booking. Shuchi asked them to call at my Chilean number. Just a few minutes before 10, I received their call and was informed that these guys were allowed to charge the 19% extra since they had not registered their property for exemption. Plus the agreed rate was always in USD and the hostel was allowed to charge any reasonable rate. So basically they couldn't help at all.
    So, as agreed with the lady we paid 58000 CLP in cash ans she canceled our booking.com as a no show.
    After that, we walked over to the bus terminal to look for buses to Chaiten, our next destination marked on the route. There was only one company selling tickets all the way to Chaitén and we were told that the bus left at 7 am everyday. So basically we would need to take the bus the next day.
    Not wanting to get stuck in Puerto Montt for another day, we went to the harbor to see if there were any boats to Chaiten. We were told there were 2 operators having ferries from Puerto Montt.
    Navimag office was about 200 mts from the bus station. They had ferries but they were going all the way South of the continent without stopping anywhere.
    NaviAustral had a boat leaving for Chaiten the next night at 11 pm so we went back to the bus station.
    We decided to go at least halfway to Hornopiren. There were 3 buses going there and the 1st one of them was in an hour at 2:30 pm. We booked our tickets for the bus and then Hristo and I went to the town to withdraw some cash as it would've be harder to use cards South from here. We caught the bus on time and were off to Hornopiren. The way passes through a fjord where the crossing is via a ferry. We reached the ferry between Caleta La Arena and Caleta Puelche around 4:15 pm    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Back to Puerto Montt

    January 2, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We reached the sand dunes viewpoint bit didn't see any sand dunes. Whatever dunes that must have been there were gone now. It was a normal view of the Pacific Ocean and the beach. We quickly walked back to the entrance and drove off towards Chacao.
    We managed to get on to the 6 pm ferry but realized that we would be a few minutes late to return the car. We called them up but were told that they close at 7 pm and we could instead return the car at the airport office where they are open late. We reached Puerto Montt at 7:15 pm so we had to drop the car at the airport.
    We dropped off the girls at our hostel and drove to the airport. There we didn't have any problem with the return. The guys at West rental were very friendly and helpful.
    Since the buses further south are very infrequent and we were at the airport, we decided to check out the car rental options for the next few days. We wanted to rent the vehicle here and drop it off at Coyhaique from where I could catch a flight back to Santiago to fetch my new passport. We checked all the car rentals at the airport but the good ones were all fully booked. Some of the local ones had vehicles available but the cost of returning the car at Coyhaique was more than double the cost of the rental. The rental for pickup amd drop at Puerto Montt was quite reasonable but we would then have to drive 700 kms back which didn't make sense. By the time we were done checking with the last of the car rentals, the collective buses to the town had all left. We went around the airport to find an alternative but found only the private transfer van available. The cost of the collective van was 2500 CLP per person and the private one was quoted at 5000 CLP per person. We didn't believe that there were no collectives anymore so we went to the information desk and asked. There we were told that there would be another collective at 11 pm. It was already 10:30 pm so we decided to wait. Weirdly, the ticket booking for the collective was inside the flight exit area. We weren't allowed inside and were told to wait till the next flight when they would open the gates. By this time, the news of 2 foreigners looking for a ride back had been radioed all over so the main manager of the collective company (Turistour) came over again to sell us a private transfer. He told us that the next collective bus is at 1 am. When we asked about how the people arriving at 11 pm would reach the town, he said that there were no flights at 11 pm. We figured the guy was trying to fool us and told him we'll wait till 1 am. Eventually, another guy came wjo seemed to be a friend of theirs. He had a car which he was taking back to town and wanted to make some quick money. He agreed to drop us at a total cost of 5000 CLP. We agreed and got a ride in a nice Mercedes at the cost of a collective transfer. Interestingly, when we paid, he gave us a receipt of the amount and with Turistour as the agency. We didn't get what was going on but we had made it back safely at no extra cost.
    By this time, all the restaurants in the town were closed. Even the place where the girls were eating had closed and were not serving anymore. We found a bar opposite that was still open and ready to take one last order. We ate there and reached back the hostel at around 2 am.
    The owner was still up and complained that we had just wanted to go to return the car and had not shown up till 2 am. On top of that, the price he was quoting was different than the one we had got at booking.com. The same issue again. The price we had got was in USD and their machine didn't allow transfer in USD and the conversion rate he was using was way higher than the market rate. On top of that, he wanted to charge us 19% VAT which we knew was for locals and foreigners staying more than 59 days in the country. We told him we'll pay him in the morning and that I would contact booking.com to resolve this issue. We were told that the checkout time was 10 am and that a late checkout would be charged as an extra day. I wrote to booking.com about the issue and asked their opinion on what to do. After that we slept.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Cucao Nature park

    January 2, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We reached Cucao around 3:30 pm and drove past the town to the nature reserve. We missed it completely. There were no boards or entrance marked anywhere. We made a u turn and drove back hoping to see it as marked on Maps.me. Just where there was a trekking trail marked on the map, we saw a small wooden gate. It was closed but not locked. We parked our car on the side of the road and started the walk. There were lovely wooden walkways and thick green foliage around. After a while Hristo and Maria went a bit ahead of us. Its then that a guy running behind us caught up with us. He told us that we needed to move our car to the proper parking and that we needed to buy the entry tickets. He explained where the parking and the reception was.
    We were getting late since we needed to catch the mainland ferry at Chacao about 160 kms away and then drive another 60 kms to Puerto Montt to return the car by 7 pm. We had less than 3.5 hrs to do this. If I went back, moved the car and then came back, it would take me about 30 min, so I told the guy that the car keys were with my friends and we'll catch up with them and then move the car. We continued further into the reserve. The dunes viewpoint was just about 400 mts from where we were.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    To Cucao

    January 2, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    It was very similar views all the way to Cucao. It was extremely windy and rainy. The waters of the lake that are normally bluish in color were dark grey with big white waves being blown by the wind. It almost felt like the Pacific Ocean itself.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Huillinco

    January 2, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    From Castro, we drove to Huillinco towards the west on the way to Cucao. Cucao is one of the very few towns on the West coast of Chiloé. The Pacific Ocean passes through a narrow channel and forms the Cucao lake and then through another narrow channel forms the Huillinco lake. Huillinco is on the shore of this lake.
    It was raining and extremely windy when we reached there around 2:45 pm. We stopped for a short while before moving on.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Castro church

    January 2, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Made entirely of wood, this striking church was designed by an Italian architect in a blend of Neo-Gothic and classic design.
    The outside of the church is a beautiful yellow and purple combination. The inside is warm wood all over. Fun fact, the bell towers on all churches in Chiloe always point towards the ocean.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Mirador Palafitos

    January 2, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    2nd day of the year, we woke up a bit late and got ready to leave by 12 pm. We drove to the viewpoint of the stilt houses nearby (Mirador Palafitos). It was raining a bit so we stopped for a short while before driving to the main plaza for some breakfast. Today, the place was packed with cars amd vehicles. We had to go around the plaza twice, but we still couldn't find any place to park. Eventually, we found a place in one of the side roads and walked from there. The 1st restaurant we came across from there was again the La Brujula de la Cuerpo. We had a good meal and desserts there before walking around to see the town.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Don Fonjo Cabañas

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    The cabaña we had rented was slightly outside of Castro. We drove there directly after dinner. It took us a while to find them in the dark. The cabaña is an outhouse to the main house and is beautifully built in wood. It was neat and clean with a private parking inside the gate. It was almost midnight by now, so we slept off.Read more

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    2

    La Brujula de la Cuerpo

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    The 1st place we looked into was La Brujula de la Cuerpo. It is a grill restaurant but has an amazing variety of cakes and ice-creams. We decided to stay and have our food here. It was a good decision because the food was great and the awesome desserts made it all worthwhile. While waiting for the food, we did our room booking as well using booking.com.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Castro

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    We reached Castro around 9 pm. Just at the entrance of the town, we saw some beautiful multicolored wooden houses on stilts.
    We all were hungry so we decided to park near the main plaza, have food and then look for a place to stay.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Cascada Tocoihue and Dalcahue

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    On the way to Castro, we stopped at the Cascada Tocoihue. It was another place recommended by Marcus. We reached just about 7:30 pm. They were closing when we parked. The guy at the counter told us they are waiting for the last of the tourists to come out. But he allowed us to walk inside the gate to see the waterfall. It was clearly visible from just 2 mts inside. We took some pictures and then drove off again.
    The next stop was Dalcahue. Another small fishing town along the shore. Marcus had recommended some real good sea food restaurants inside a boat like building. We parked just outside. There was no one around and the building was closed due to the new year. We walked along the promenade next to the sea. It had been newly built a few months ago. It even had a cycling track and wooden sitting places.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Off from Isla Aucar

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We followed the track going around the island. There were very lovely views of the Quemchi bay. We even saw the sea lions feeding again. After doing the walk we went back to the car and drove off towards Castro.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Bridge to Isla Aucar
    Muscles below the bridgeBotanical gardenWooden church

    Isla Aucar

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Isla Aucar is just about 3 kms from Quemchi. We paeked our car near the entrance. It was about 6 pm and a constant drizzle was going on. There is no entry fee to the island. The access is via a wooden bridge connecting the island to the mainland. Below the bridge, we could see thousands of muscles most probably brought here by the tide. On the island there is a botanical garden with boards marking the names of the trees. There was also a wooden church in the middle.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Off from Quemchi

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    It had started to pour heavily by now so we sat under the shade of the shops and ate some of the food. After that Hristo went and brought the car down while we walked along the promenade next to the harbor. We met up at the end of the walk and then drove on towards Isla Aucar.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Quemchi town

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    From the cemetery, we walked down to the town. It had a small main square with a beautiful green and blue wooden church. There were nice murals along the edges of the plaza. There was hardly anyone in the town. We bought some food stuff from the open grocery shop.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    2

    Quemchi cemetery

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We drove on up to the hill behind the town. The cemetery was up there and was also marked as a viewpoint on Maps.me. The views over the town and the bay were beautiful. The rain to had stopped by now so we parked our car nearby and walked in to the cemetery. The graves were more like vaults made from granite and tiles. Some of them were decorated beautifully with fresh and artificial flowers and candles. The dead had the best views of the town and the sea.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Along Quemchi harbor

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    From the viewpoint, we drove a bit further along the road next to the harbor into the quaint little town of Quemchi. There were boats parked along the shore but the town seemed dead. There was no one around. Looked like everyone had partyed till late amd were sleeping in even at 5 pm.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
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    Sea Lions at Quemchi

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We woke up late and freshened up. After that we went to the town. It was raining again. The weather had held at just the right time for just the right amount of time.
    We weren't sure if anything would be open on the 1st day of the year. Only the place where we had our breakfast the previous morning was open. We went to have our breakfast. It was totally packed. The whole town seemed to have come there for their breakfast.
    By the time, we finished with our meal, it was already past 2 pm. We started our drive towards Castro and as had been suggested by Marcus, we decided to go via Quemchi town.
    We reached there at around 4:30 pm. It was quite rainy and windy. We stopped at the Humedal de Quemchi viewpoint. This is a small bay near Quemchi. Here we saw a group of sea lions swimming in circles trying to trap the fish. The birds took the opportunity and were crowding in, in the middle and snatching the fish. The whole group continued to move around in the bay repeating this maneuver. Unfortunately it was hard to capture this with the mobile camera. How I wished my stolen camera back at this moment 😏    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Dancing in the new year

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    After the fireworks, we decided to go down and join the dancing crowd near the stage. The music was good, the mood joyful and we danced our way into the new year. We were there till almost 1:30 am. Then we drove back to the cabaña and slept.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Happy New Year!!

    January 1, 2018 in Chile ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    At exactly 30 sec to 12 am, the countdown started on the big screen. The whole stadium roared after each count. Then at exactly 12, the fireworks started at the hill behind the stadium. It was an awesome sight. The weather had played along at the right time. After 3 days of rain, it was a clear starry night and the fireworks looked beautiful. The show lasted for about 10 min, after which, the live music started again.Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    New Year celebrations

    December 31, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We drove back to Ancud and decided to stay at Hotel Isla Magica again. We reached back around 10:30 pm and got the same cabaña. We didn't have any food items with us to cook and the landlady informed that all the restaurants would be closed by now. She tried calling the restaurants she thought might be open but they were all closed. For the new year celebrations, she too recommended going to the stadium for the fireworks.
    We decided to drive around the town and see if anything was open. The whole town felt like a ghost town. Nothing was open and there was no one around. One smallest shop selling alcoholic drinks was open. We bought some cookies, chips and drinks from there. Then we drove towards the stadium. On the way, Hristo bought a pack of sausages. That all basically constituted our last dinner of the year 2107. 😁😁
    At the stadium, we managed to park our car quite near the entrance. We couldn't see any ticket counter near the gates but there were people giving away neon bands and some police inspecting all the bags etc. We decided to walk in and see if we needed any tickets or reservations. We found out that the event was organised by the local municipality and was free for everyone. There was a concert stage in the middle where some local bands played peppy Spanish music to keep the crowds occupied. We settled down in the middle of stadium seating and had our food stuff while enjoying the music. Everyone around was dressed up in costumes and wearing props. It was a total festive atmosphere.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Faro Corona

    December 31, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We reached Faro Corona at around 7:30 pm. The sun was going low in the sky by now. It was quite windy at this extreme end of the península. This place too is know for sightings of dolphins and sometimes even whales.
    When we reached there, we realized that the places was marked as a military zone on Maps.me so we didn't want to enter unauthorized. We could hear loud music all the way outside the perimeter of the lighthouse area where we were parked. Someone in there was getting ready for a good new year party. Hristo checked on google maps and saw the place marked as a museum. We decided to go in then.
    There was no one anywhere. The music was coming from 2 huges speakers near the entrance of the lighthouse tower and was blaring peppy tunes from the 60s. The views of the ocean were really stunning. We didn't see any whales or dolphins. Inside, the lighthouse tower has been converted to a museum with old pictures and information. Unfortunately, everything was in Spanish. We even managed to climb the narrow, steep stairs up to the illumination system. From here, we had a 360 degrees view of the peninsula. After coming down, we stopped near the speakers and danced for a while, then decided to leave, in case we were not allowed in, in the first place 😉
    We danced our way to the rhythm of the music back to our car. Its only then we noticed 2 women looking at us from inside one of the huts and smiling at us dancing 😄    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling
    Playa Mar BravaPlaya Chauman

    Playa Chauman

    December 31, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We didn't really drive back straight to Ancud. We stopped over at a few viewpoints and then drove to Playa Chauman. The beach was secluded with no one around. This place is also a good place to sight dolphins and sea lions. We didn't see either of them though. Hristo wanted to end the year with a dip in the sea so he jumped into the freezing waters and swam for a while. Melinda too wanted to go in but decided not to since she didn't have hear beachwear.
    After spending a few minutes, we drove off towards the lighthouse Faro Corona.    Read more

  • The Craze for TravellingThe South American OdysseyThe Craze for Travelling

    Seaweeds and algae

    December 31, 2017 in Chile ⋅ ☁️ -3 °C

    We reached the other end of the beach. It was very rocky here. The formations were from the lava flows from before. We didn't see any penguins here but saw a few locals collecting seaweeds and algae. We stopped and enjoyed the view for a while before heading back to the beach. By this time, the beach was almost empty. All the kiosks selling the boat trips were also closed. Earlier, we had planned to go to Castro (the capital of the Chiloé island) about 75 kms away, but on Marcus' recommendation, we decided to go back to Ancud since they seem to have some organized fireworks in the stadium for the New Year celebration.Read more

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