Road trip in the Chilean lake district

After saying good bye to Fred, who was going to Santiago to drink one last terremoto before flying back to France, we took the road south. We had a meeting set up in Temuco with some of Geo's friend, an odd and funny "couple", Anibal a 24 years old guy and his best mate Dennis an English born Chilean gentleman of 89 years old.
As soon as we met them in the Temuco bus station at 10p.m. the tornado started. They already had a plan for the night, drive straight to Pucon (one and half hour) and spend the night in a camping there. So off we were, our little troup on the road on a wet night with music out loud in the car. Dennis was well awake and delighted to be able to speak a bit of his mother tongue with me. I was very impressed by his energy as even if he totalised more years than the three of us united he was the most enthusiastic and animated.

The team in Pucon

In the morning we visited Pucon. It was rainy and not really what we were looking for. Another of these money sucking touristy towns full of tour operators and fancy coffee shops.
So we decided to leave the place and take advantage of the car we had to go an explore this beautiful lake district.There started our little road trip in Mapuche territory.

We had a great time driving on the dirt roads through araucaria forests. Finally we arrived at the termal baths of Rio Blanco. A beautiful place in the middle of nature on the fringe of the national park Huerquehue. We rented a cabin there and headed straight to the baths. Just the perfect weather for it, a little drizzle that make you feel cozy in the baths.

The baths are just perfect, very natural, two pools with gravel at the bottom right next to the river. Nothing fancy, no concrete, just great nature around.

We finished our journey under the sun stopping by a few other lakes on the way, eating sopaipillas (a bread including pumpkin in their dough) with pebre (condiment made of coriander, chopped onion, olive oil, garlic) a great day.

Bonus Pic: