The cargo ship we were taking on Friday was to leave from Puerto Montt in Chile. This required a short (by South American standards), SIX HOUR bus ride through the mountains and across the border.
On another note... Thank the lord for podcasts! A wonderful way to pass the time on these tedious bus journeys. I have learned the majority of the Spanish I know in this way. Seriously, Chris and I maintain that the best travel item you could ever have is the iPod Touch (or Iphone if you really want). We use these not only to listen to music on long journeys but also to download our emails for free and keep up to date with the world whenever there is wifi available (this includes making phonecalls home by Skype)... Not only this but Podcasts (the saviour of all bored backpackers on 21 hour bus rides) can be downloaded with much ease. I have managed to keep up to date with the Brits by listening to Chris Moyles, Jonathan Ross and others every week. Oh, how I love Apple - I know I could sell this product if they asked me to!
We were very pleased to meet a lovely Irish couple who, with their three children, were travelling around South America for three months. We were so excited not only to meet them at the bus station in Bariloche (as we waited for our 2 hour delayed bus) but also to find out that they too are taking the Cargo Ship down the Western coast of Patagonia. It will be lovely to spend this time with children.
Unfortunately, the cargo ship had been delayed by a day so we were to stay in Puerto Montt for an extra day. This town was incredibly Chilean and authentic, with the only tourists being those who take the ship from here. While there was really nothing to do but wander round, it was admittedly rather refreshing to be in a town that was so authentic without any show of tourism.
Here, housewives rent their spare rooms out to travellers for between 10 - 50 $US. It was funny wandering around the next day and meeting the owners of these 'hospedajes' as they tried to sell us a room for a ridiculous price. After spending a very cold night in a dodgy area on our first night, we eventually settled on the 'Swiss Chalet' for our second night, owned by a Swiss-Chileno couple. There seems to be no central heating in this town and you'll be lucky to get hot water. Still, being close to the ferry terminal, the 'Swiss Chalet' suited our needs.
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