Coyhaique – Villa Cerro Castillo – Coyhaique

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Yes, I’m again in Coyhaique where I started a few days ago. But this not by error. It was actually planned :-) . During the last few days I drove first to the Laguna Chiguay and from there on the next day further to Villa Cerro Castillo where I met Michu, my travel companion for hopefully the next few weeks.

We stayed for a day in Villa Cerro Castillo before we drove back to Coyhaique via Laguna Chiguay. On the way we met Chile cyclist Esteban (and had a coffee with him on the Portelezo Ibanez) and the cyclists Sonja (CH) and Jason (USA) which we invited on our campsite at the Laguna Chiguay.

Now we are back in Coyhaique and hope to keep going tomorrow. The only uncertainty is at the moment, that the road is blocked by protesters and we don’t know if we will be able to pass or not. We will see!

The best pictures (there are a few more) can still be found in the Gallery! Or at my competitors website ;-)

Cohaique - Villa Cerro Castillo Esteban and Michu at Portezuelo Ibanez Portezuelo Ibanez Michu cooking at Laguna Chaguai Cohaique - Villa Cerro Castillo Cohaique - Villa Cerro Castillo

Patagonia sin represas – demonstration in Coyhaique

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As you may know, there are plans to build many dams in the so far pristine Patagonia. Many people are against this project but the government Piñera is heading forward with it anyway.

Tonight there was a small demonstration against this project in Coyhaique (see picture below). It weren’t a lot of people but they couldn’t be overheard. It’s not really a surprise that it weren’t that many. A lot of the inhabitants of the region are probably hoping that they can profit from the project somehow, e.g. by getting a job.

It’s of course the decision of (hopefully) the Chilenian people. In my opinion it would be a big loss if those dams would be build.

Patagonia sin represas - Demonstration in Coyhaique Rio Baker Patagonia sin represas - View of HydroAisen Rio Baker Rio Baker and

NAVIMAG and the first full 80km

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After a sunny day in Puerto Varas, I drove down to Puerto Montt to take the NAVIMAG ferry. I tried again to avoid the highway but without success. It seems to be a curse… However, the guy at the control in Puerto Montt even opened the barrier for me. So probably I wasn’t completely wrong…

At 10pm there was boarding and luckily my bike was accepted as normal luggage for the NAVIMAG ferry. So I didn’t have to pay extra which was great. The NAVIMAG ferry is mostly a cargo ferry for trucks. It took some time till everything was on board and we left Puerto Montagg around 6am instead of the planned 4am. Luckily I was sleeping till then also if it was pretty noisy

On Sunday we were crossing through the channel between Chile and the island of Chiloe. I had the choice between watching horror movies inside or enjoying the sun on deck. I didn’t have to think that long about what was better ;-) . The sunbathing was only interrupted by lunch and dinner, which cost each 3’000 pesos extra. A fair price I would say. And as dessert a wonderful sunset was served followed by an impressive show of stars.

On Monday morning we arrived finally in Puerto Chacabuco at around 7am instead of the planned 4am. However, I didn’t mind at all. As the last entertainment part we had to search for bike. Finally it was found in one of the containers…

On the 80km to Coyhaique, which were partly wet (typical Weather in Patagonia), I meet two Germans, two Swiss and one French guy on bikes. Seems to be a bussy time for biking on the Carretera Austral!

Now I’m in Coyhaique and have to figure out where to meet my travel buddy Michu. He is still a few hundred kilometers south. You will read it here, of course :-) .

All the best,

Stefan

PS: Pictures will follow later. There are some nice ones :-) .

Update: Pictures are added now. The best pictures of the journey can be found here in the gallery.

Coyhaique My bike and the container Sunset on NAVIMAG Boarding NAVIMAG Thomas & Alexander Sunset on NAVIMAG Sunset on NAVIMAG Dead trees near Rio Simpson Sunrise at NAVIMAG

It’s going south

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After I did kind of organisational things the last few days, I finally took off again by using the night bus down to Puerto Varas. Because the only available bus was a Bus Cama (with beds), I didn’t even have to choose. And it was really almost a bed :-) .

Just after leaving the bus station in Santiago, we ended up in a traffic jam. And the reason for this traffic jam wasn’t nice at all: A crash between a bus and a truck. With mixed feelings we drove on. Luckily nothing further happened and after a bit more than 12 hours, we arrived in Puerto Varas. I was happy to find a hostel almost within minutes.

On Saturday I wil cycle further to Puerto Montt where I will board the ferry to Puerto Chacabuco. From there, will cycle to Cohaique within a day or two. That’s the plan. Will see what reality says to that ;-) .

PS: From Puerto Varas, I have a great view on two volcanoes: Osorno (see also Picture below) and the at the moment still active Volcano Puyehue Cordon Caulle.