Peanuts and Beer for New Year

I spent a very quite New Years Eve planning the next part of my travels.

Beer, peanuts and a little adventure

This was what I managed to scrounge up for supper.
The town of Castro on Chiloe Island was completely closed up for the night and not even a restaurant was open.

Nobody was moving around town but suddenly as the clock struck midnight a fireworks display erupted over the little harbor and people flocked out of their homes to watch. I guess spending the night with family and friends is what people do rather than going out and painting the town.

I needed to have few repairs taken care of before heading south. Small welding shops can be found in almost any town and the people who run them are usually just like this guy - very innovative and competent in their skills. In no time at all the frame for my panniers was ready to face whatever the Carretera Austral could throw at it.

Carretera Austral -- Southern Highway

This highway was begun in 1976 and most of the construction on the 1250km road between Puerto Montt and Villa O'Higgins was done during the 1980 by the Chilean army under the leadership of General Augusto Pinochet.

Nearly 40% of the road is now paved but the gravel ( ripio ) sections are hardpacked and although often potholed are fun to ride

Ripio ( gravel ) section

Traveling the Carretera requires spending many hours on ferries as the road winds along this amazing coastline

The ferry system is extremely well organized and ferries are on time and relatively cheap

Landslide and reconstruction

There are many unstable section of the road due to the terrain, rain and seismic activity often necessitating detours.

Overnight Ferry from Chaiten to Pto. Raul Marin Balmeceda

In mid December a huge mudslide buried the little town of Santa Lucia, killing more than 20 people and demolishing the road which will now be closed for at least four months. To get around this obstacle there is an overnight ferry that takes seven hours.

Breakfast on the road grader

Arriving at six in the morning there was a short distance before the next ferry across the Rio Palena was encountered. This ferry only started operations at 8.30 in the morning so there was a two hour wait which some fellow motorcyclist took advantage of to cook up a breakfast of eggs, toast and coffee. Wow that tasted good -- thanks!!

One of the things I have enjoyed so much on this trip is the incredible variety of wild flowers

Fuchsia Magellanica

Like these fuchsias that can be seen in large bushes on the side of the road.

Fox Gloves

Then there are these Fox Gloves -- I was trying to find out what the name is in Spanish and knew the name for fox -  el zorro. I asked a fellow traveller the name for glove and was told it is - el guante.

I then asked if he knew the name of the flower that translates to Zorro Guantes. I was told un flor - a flower. -- right!!

Ringed Kingfisher

In past posts I have talked a little about fishing. Now here is a little guy who really does do some catching.

I am hoping that this next week will dry out a little as riding for hours in the rain does get a little old especially as no how good your rain gear is water finds its way in.