Dora is writing:
New day – new adventures! Unfortunately, this day starts with the unpleasant notification, that our housing reservation in La Serena has been cancelled, but Agnese is sure that booking.com will find us a new place to stay.
Anyway – we are getting up and rolling out of our beds, packing up and eating the yummy omelet made by Ilgonis. Despite the most recent weather forecast (rain and/or wet snow), we are determined to go and see some of the waterfalls nearby, and, after a later reevaluation of the situation, decide on the further program for the day – to try again going to Laguna del Laja waterfalls or not.
With the washed flags blowing in the wind we put our bags in cars and are on our way. All around the horizon is made up by foggy hilltops and a while later – Hello, Snow! How we missed Thee! Going further in the snow and mud, we slide to the first stop – waterfall Saltos el Leon, where we are welcomed by a pair of cows. In spite of the rain and snow all around us, we go to take a look – after all you don’t get to see a 97 m high wall of water every day. Quietly we get past the house there without paying the entrance fee, cross 300m of snow and water slush, until we finally get to the waterfall itself. It’s so beautiful, at least someone’s breath is taken away! Some get brave enough to get to the end of the visitor’s path as close to the water as possible and take some photos. It might not be the biggest waterfall in the world, not even in Chile, but it definitely is the most beautiful one we get to see this day. Because sadly once more EverythingIsWet.lv and the majority decides not to visit the other wonders of nature planned for this morning. This saddens Agnese, who tells us that the other waterfall is 170 m high and looks magnificent even with no cascades. It’s left for the next time.
As the weather has not gotten any better, the hopes to visit Laguna del Laja has shrunk as small as can be and still exist. The next main stop for today – the cabin where we spent the Līgo night and are sleeping tonight as well.
The long way back takes us by Villarica lake where we see waves as high as in our sea.
Soon it’s lunch time and the inhabitants of the white car are asking for soup, but the chances to find someplace nice by the highway seem quite small. Meanwhile, flooded meadows, stands of planted trees and lonely houses replace one another on the roadside landscape. Imants’s sudden outcry “Will you ever stop?!” wakes (me) up from the view watching trance. Yes, it’s still raining and doesn’t seem to be ending anytime soon.
After a while Agnese notices a sign with a bowl on it directing to an eatery, and we decide to see what’s on the menu. When we drive into the yard, we get a little confused – two eateries on opposite sides, each with their own active parking guy. Which one is the right one? Ilgonis full of confidence marches into En Borde Rio and soon we get an approval over the walkie-talkie – they have THE soup! It’s not long until eight bowls full of traditional Chilean cazuela with big pieces of meat and a portion of corn porridge with cheese and ham are on the table. The eating is accompanied by happy and awed comments and soon everyone has been assured that it is possible to eat the whole portion and a dessert besides. After sating out hunger and curiosity, we get back on our way.
At around 4 in the afternoon we are at the cabin. While Agnese is checking the availability of hot water in showers, our gentlemen are sitting around the fireplace with glasswares full of drinks in their hands. A moment later everyone is settling in the sofas, thinking over and writing down their experiences and other revelations, some sing a few songs. A calm evening. We go to sleep by the sounds of winds whistling all around and raindrops hitting the roof.
The housing situation in La Serena is still unsolved..