German Chilean history

We have been in Puyuhuapi since yesterday. It doesn't sound so German at first. But the settlement was founded in 1935 by 4 Sudeten Germans as “Waldhagen”. They wanted to start a new life in Chile. They should do the preliminary work and then recruit more emigrants. Nothing came of it, the Second World War ruined the plans. We live in the Hosteria Alemana, the ladies still speak German and are descendants of the settlers. The place is very beautiful, the location by the fjord is wonderful and there are excellent restaurants with fresh fish and traditional Chilean dishes. And the indispensable cake everywhere.

Today we went hiking in Queulat National Park. Entry costs around 10 euros for foreigners and half that for Chileans. It's worth every penny because there are two highlights: the overhanging glacier tongue of the Ventisquero Colgante and the lagoon below.

Greeted by a sticker from Baden Württemberg, we crossed the wonderful suspension bridge into the park. The way to the viewpoint of the glacier tongue was a challenge. But only for Jutta, who gave up after 700 meters and turned back. Sandra made it to the lookout point and back in the allotted time and then straight to the lagoon. She's awesome. The view over the green lake to the glacier: magnificent. 40 years ago the ice still reached as far as the lagoon. Climate change is also visible in these pristine places.

In the evening we treated ourselves to a visit to the hot springs. The water in the pools is up to 35 degrees warm. You sit with an international audience in various outdoor pools and look out over the lake. Splendid.

And in the evening a delicious Kunstmann beer and a Pisco Sour. This is how a wonderful day ends in the park and by the fjord.

About the history of the place, the immigrants and especially the Hopperdietzel family: https://www.condor.cl/2018/03/12/puyuhuapi-im-wandel/

https://www.zeit.de/news/2021-02/23/eine-robinsonade-in-patagonien