Day 605 – South America – Chile [Rest Day in Frutillar]

17/12/21

 Rest day in Frutillar (Chile, South America)

Resting by Lake Llanquihue – an air of holiday in beautiful southern Chile

An air of holiday

Since there was not much in Purranque, where I stopped my run yesterday, we decided to head back to Lake Llanquihue, in Frutillar, for our rest day. What a good choice! Such a beautiful town by the lake. We walked around the lakefront and had a first taste of the chilean empanadas. What a delight. Pies filled with meat or any other kind of food, cheese, tomatoes. A cheap meal, they are quite filling and absolutely delicious.

Frutillar’s ancient native forest

We went around the ancient native forest of Frutillar. This is the only one left in Chile, where no other plants have been introduced and the forest has not been altered in any way (no industrialisation, no chemicals, only native species). The forest was thick, dense and very humid. Another occasion to spot the local birds – I particularly like the local Ibis, with its long golden neck – though the name is deceiving “black faced Ibis”.

Pedro and his bagpipe, by the jetty

We also had a very interesting chat with Pedro, a bagpipe player from Osorno Volano. He talked to us about the Mapuche, Chile’s native people, the culture, relationship to earth, symbolism and the beauty of the country. He entertained the crowds on the jetty playing celtic and gallic tracks! Quite a character.