Tage voller Überraschungen

27.12. One last time petting cats, fixing Amelia's mat that they slit, having a coffee, and off to Puesco for hiking. Oh, it's Monday and the national park is closed. So, we have no choice but to camp nearby and wait for tomorrow. We pass the time by writing a diary, swimming naked in the river, and drinking wine. The horseflies are a bit annoying, but otherwise it's very cozy here! :)

28.12. The national park ranger is a very nice man and shows us the small exhibition, despite the ban, and is very interested in us. A short detour to the lagoon near the Argentine border doesn't offer any great views. The subsequent hike to Mirador Quinquilil is a bit more strenuous than expected, but we manage to do it in under 4 hours. The view of the Peinetas, the Lanin volcano, and other peaks was worth it. Back in the valley, we drive via Villarica to the Termas Geometricas in Conaripe. They are supposed to be very beautiful. Since I have dirtied the camera sensor, we look for a store with the appropriate accessories in Villarica, which is impossible to find. So, I settle for TV and tablet cleaner. At a stoplight, Amelia crashes into a Mercedes in reverse because she wanted to make room for an old lady on the pedestrian crossing. Our car has Mercedes star marks on the rear and the Mercedes has a broken plastic radiator grille. The man doesn't want to deal with the police and suggests a payment of 20,000 pesos. Of course, we don't refuse, because we probably won't get away with such a cheap price after a rear-end crash again! In Conaripe, we treat ourselves to lunch/dinner at a great restaurant before heading to the hot springs. The Termas Geometricas are amazing. In a narrow stream valley, the wooden walkways pass by 24 pools that are between 6 and 45 degrees warm. At the end of the valley, there is a picturesque waterfall where you could also swim if you can handle the glacier water. A visit is highly recommended despite the high price! After that, we have a small Google Maps odyssey on side roads to a non-existent campsite before we finally find one that is not beautiful but dirty ;) But it's fine for one night.