F: Back towards the mountains (Los Angeles, Laja, Victoria)

Today is New Year's Eve and we imagined that we would simply go to a fine restaurant on our way towards the mountains in Los Angeles. As it turned out, shops and restaurants are even more widely closed on this day than on Christmas. So we bought a picnic shortly before closing time and had our New Year's Eve meal on the nearby playground due to lack of space in the room.

We visited the Laja region; the Antuco volcano, a huge reservoir, lava fields, and two waterfalls in another enchanted forest are the sights. I really enjoyed seeing a new landscape and I found the colors (especially through the sunglasses ;-)) so beautiful. Simon found it a bit too barren up at the reservoir. He preferred to play at the water-rich waterfall: throwing wood up there - tadaa! - it comes back out of the spring down below :-). By the way, the reservoir was formed 150 years ago when the volcano erupted and a mighty lava flow formed a natural dam.

I absolutely love the nature of Chile! It is not only diverse but each landscape is a highlight in itself - and we are only halfway there!

Right now we are in Victoria, where everything is closed as well, except for a hot dog stand. Mmmm....

Next stop will be Pucon. It may be very touristy, but as quiet as it was over the holidays, we don't expect too much. And if not, we'll just keep going ... until then!