I go to the Puerto metro station, take a look around the harbor, and then take the metro to Viña del Mar, the neighboring city. There are supposed to be somewhat nice beaches there. So far, I haven't been to any beach. So, off I go because it's also incredibly warm today.
Hm okay! Beach. It's not as breathtaking as in the Caribbean, but okay. I stay for an hour and then make my way back. Viña doesn't have much else to offer. It's kind of a boring city!
But I really want to see and photograph those pelicans. On the way there, on the metro, which runs aboveground, I saw them sitting on rocks. So, I go to the metro station, take it for 3-4 stops, and then get off to walk along the coast back to Valpo. No pelicans in sight! This can't be! Where are the birds? Should I go to sleep already? It's only around 5/6 p.m... A little disappointed, I continue walking to the Barrio Barón. There is a 200m long pier into the sea here. And suddenly, what do I see? Seals/sea lions. Big and muscular, for sure. Coooool! No pelicans, but these funny guys are there instead, constantly quarreling loudly over the best spot in the sun on this small floating island.
I take the metro again for two stops and walk back to the accommodation. I eat something and in the evening I want to go to the famous old bar Cizano.
I arrive at the quaint place around 9:30, everyone stares at me, I sit at the bar and order a Pisco Sour. A man sings old Chilean songs on the small stage. Again and again, the other guests join in singing along. The atmosphere is great. Somehow emotional, exuberant, joyful. I enjoy it, especially since the singer is flirting hard with me and is basically singing only for me :-)
At the same time, an old Chilean sits next to me, who also wants all of my attention. He talks non-stop, no, he mumbles in Spanish and I understand NOTHING! But I have the feeling that he is happy to mumble his life story to me, so I "listen" and occasionally respond with YES or NO. I order a second Pisco Sour and am amused by the whole situation. After that, I go to another bar for a drink before taking a taxi up the hill and going to sleep.
21.12.
Departure day, but not until 9:30 in the evening. I stay in bed as long as possible, wander around the Barrio Puerto again, where everything is "gasified" from the riots last night, and buy some last souvenirs.
Until the departure to the bus station, I hang out in the living room and eventually make my way there. Down the hill, I find a taxi and the driver asks me how he should drive because there are protesters and barricades everywhere in the city!! Yeah, pffff, how should he drive??? I have no idea, maybe he should take the fastest and cheapest way?!?!? Idiot!
Of course, he drives straight into a burning barricade and has to detour far away. It's no big deal, I find it more exciting what's going on here. But I still arrive on time and wait for the bus to Pucón.
I have a sleeping spot booked. These buses are great. I already know them from Brazil, so I can sleep wonderfully the whole night with small interruptions. At 10:00 in the morning, I reach Pucón, have the best coffee I've had so far, and look for my hostel :-)
Besos <3 st.