Rhonda: Hi y'all. We had a weird but really fun day today. Before we get to that, we have more to tell you about yesterday and Valparaiso. We got cut short last night when we found out they were picking us up at 625a. But, we have the cruise in 10 days so we will save up the odds and ends of things we didn't get to and write an odds and ends post on sea days.
We got picked up in the dark this morning to head way up into the Andes Mountains. Today we went south and east of Santiago. The first stop was about an hour in and it was at this weird little breakfast spot to get empanadas and coffee. And to watch the cutest stray dogs beg for loves, scratches and leftovers. Empanadas are delicious. This morning we had breakfast empanadas with meat, onion, egg and one olive. ( they all have one olive). It's like a hand pie and the crust is delicious and flaky. It's very odd that all coffee in Chile is instant. But they use an espresso machine for the hot water to add to it. 🤷♂️
Chris
After breakfast it was back in the van and on to the climbing winding mountain roads taking us further into and farther up the Andes. It was so starkly beautiful, just stone, practically no vegetation. Just stone. The mountains were huge and rugged and stone, huge boulders, some of which were as big as
buses, were just thrown about everywhere. We wondered aloud to each other, what unbelievable force of nature could do this ? It is all volcanic but how hellish must it have been when this land was formed ?
The paved road gave way to a simi paved road and it got bumpy, then more bumpy and less paved then rutted dirt I guess and kidney damage peeing blood rough. There was absolutely nothing but dirt and stone and stone and boulders, giant boulders and stone. We were on the moon. It was stark and unbelievabley beautiful, it was an alien pinch me look where I am land.
And we stopped and the guide said there are 7 hot springs, be back in 2 hours for a picnic. Huh? What? Where? He pointed up the side of the mountain. So off we went to hike up.
Rhonda: We hiked up the side of the mountain until we could finally see a building and the springs. Truthfully we didn't know what to expect, but this was an amazing experience. We changed into swimsuits ( and it was chilly up there) and hurried to get in a pool. There are seven different pools in cascading order, each higher pool flowing into the next lower pool and thus cooling the water. The hottest was over 150 degrees in the top one so we went down a couple to a tolerable temperature. They were definitely natural and it was not easy to figure out a way to get in and out. And they was no graceful way to do it. But once we got in, omg it was so nice. The minerals turned it almost into milk with a squishy bottom. I felt it healing every little ache.
When it was time to go, we hiked back down to the van. It was so steep and we had to be very careful. We made it to the bottom , almost, and I stopped to admire again where we were in the world. Then I turned and took a step and my feet went flying and I fell on my butt. I am ok. But I scraped an elbow and have a bruised ego. But I did have a moment of wondering how long it would take to get me or anyone to a hospital if we got seriously hurt up here.
We had a picnic on the surface of the moon made of wine, water, chips, crackers, cheese, cream cheese with balsamic, and salami. It was nice and we enjoyed talking with our friends from yesterday who were on this tour with us today. It's the couple who are teachers and she is fluent in Spanish. We really enjoyed hanging with them. They are headed to Easter Island tomorrow.
Our stop on the way back was at Hansel and Gretal's house full of chocolate! On the moon! Who knew?? I swear it was so weird but beautiful and so out of place. We had ice cream. I would try to load an image but this wouldn't get posted today if I do. We will post a lot of pictures when we get to better internet.
We are on to Buenes Aires early tomorrow. We have a foodie tour at 11am that we are looking forward to. I am a little apprehensive about getting to the airport here in light of Tuesday, but now we have our transportation scheduled ahead of time. That! IS NOT! Happening Again!
Love y'all.
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