Region Los Rios continued

On Thursday, we decided to see what all the fuss was about the thermal baths in the area.  As I mentioned early they are trying to promote tourism in this area and one thing there are a lot of is thermal baths.  On the recommendation of the local tourist office we headed to Termas Vergara because they apparently would hold the kids interest longer (slides into the thermal pools and ziplines)..  The slide was there but we never saw anybody on the zipline so we decided we'd look somewhere else for Renee (the only one daring enough to do it) where there was at least a short line.

It was at least on the way to a national park.  We couldn't actually enter the park this way because we don't have a 4X4 but there were more accessible entrances in other areas.

The chemical composition of the spring feeding the pools - not as stinky or slimy as other hot springs that I have visited (I'll let the chemistry students out there ponder that one).

There are 14 places to indulge in the hot springs heated by the Villarica volcano in the area.  This one did not have all of the spa amenities that others had but it was perfect for us.

It was quite chilly out of the water - I kept my wool sweater on for a while before taking the plunge.

He got the cool Papa award.

The friends that we found this time.

If you look closely you can see the volcano and some steam(?) coming out the top.  The last major eruption of this volcano was in 1971 but seeing it steaming and the signs in the town telling you which way to run did not calm my nerves.

Finally had something besides typical Chilean food.

Conaripe - the town from which you approach many of the thermal baths.  It was hopping.  Unlike where we are staying or the big tourist areas it appeared that most people were camping in or right outside this town.

A better view of Villarica volcano.  Apparently there is a ski resort on it.  No, thank you.

The volcano in our backyard - Mocho-Choshuenco.  The last eruption was in 1937. 

On Friday the weather was predicted not to be as nice so we decided to hop in the car again and head to the coast, more specifically to Valdivia, in search of some good kuchen (German cake) and coffee (not Nescafe!).  We found the coffee but ended up a bit short on a good kuchen.

The reality - as long as they can they play on the itouch and listen to Harry Potter all is well.

We found this restaurant in Lonely Planet.  It had many, many vegetarian options!  It had a bohemian feel, with 70s music, a lot of murals and mosaics, and super-yummy food.

This time Elisa ordered the beer.

Proof that the city was one of the strongholds against the Spanish.  Valdivia is also famous for having had the stongest earthquake on record - 9.1 on the Richter scale in 1960.

The riverfront - there was a feria (outdoor market), many boat rides, an old submarine, street performers and, of course,

sea lions.

They have boat tours from 1-6 hours that travel around the rivers, islands, and forts around Valdivia.  This one included a novice captain. 

On the search for good coffee and kuchen we landed at Entrelagos which is also a chocolate shop..

A bridge on the road to Panguipulli and an example of the Mapuche language - try and pronounce that one!

We are off this morning for Argentina.  We have finished "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and only have two more with us......