16.02.2024 Valdivia

Today we wanted to take more time for the place and Franziska had to work. So we both set off towards town and got on a micro No 20 at the first big intersection! These micros are the city buses and serve all parts of the town. They just don't look as well-groomed as the BVG's Big Yellows! They are half the size, have half the space and are twice as old in terms of condition! But everything works and the friendly drivers, who of course also sell the tickets, are very helpful! We got all this for 500 Ch$ = 50 cents and only after the second ride in a micro did we realize that old people only have to pay half the regular price! Unfortunately the ticket prices were increased two days before our arrival! As of February 15, 2024, transportation cost 10 Ch$ more, which is equivalent to 1 cent! I'll soon be able to report a nice story about ticket purchases by German tourists! So keep reading!

Our leisurely tour began just behind the bridge that connects Isla Teja (where we stayed) with the town of Valdivia. You come across the Rio Valdivia. The entire region is crossed by rivers (Rio Calle Calle, Rio Cau Cau, Rio Cruces) and accordingly there is a very wide range of boat tours of all kinds right next to the fish market mentioned above. These boats are also not a "white fleet", but they are good visited. But we couldn't bring ourselves to spend several hours on the boat with two meals and pseudo-indigenous performances. We found it much better to stroll along the waterfront along Rio Calle Calle and then approach the city from behind. There are a lot of tourists here, but there are hardly any sights or special hotspots. The area around Valdivia, with the small airport as a focal point, is the real highlight. We should find out for ourselves in the next two days!

The place is "...the most important university town in southern Chile, exudes youthful energy and German flair"! We were only partially aware of this. After the promenade we looked for the Torreó de los Canelos, which turned out to be a small, crumbled tower about 6m high. The Iglesia San Francisco, which we discovered by chance on the way to the tower, seemed much more interesting to us. It wasn't mentioned in the Lonely Planet, and unfortunately it wasn't open either, although it was pretty impressive! This time we walked from the back on the promenade to the fish market. There was actually a big black submarine in the water?! But no explanations and dates made it a question mark! We strolled through the streets to the central square of Valdivia and there was a public toilet there, half price for seniors (25 cents)! Our idea of writing some postcards failed simply because there weren't any. In the new age of social media, there is probably no longer any worthwhile demand. Even at the post office they couldn't help us! On the way home we noticed the frequent thrift stores again, but we couldn't find the right one.

So we strolled back, sat down in the garden and let the day end. Franziska was still working, but then felt like she needed a break to get some exercise. A short time later we got a message that she was going on a short boat tour and should finish the evening alone. So we did that too.