Land of Volcanoes

Volcano Orsono

Chile has 55 active volcanoes. A strong eruption in one can cause a chain reaction in the area. The biggest concentration, one of the Pacific "Rings of Fire" , is in the area that we have been travelling for the last 3 days. This morning, as we left our wonderful B&B at Fundo Los Guindos (Cherry House) we were treated to an amazing view of Volcano Orsono.

At last a proper road! A motorway no less. I had allowed a full day to travel to Pucon, but due to the excellent road we completed the 250km journey in under 4 hours. We checked in to our hotel at 2pm and after a quick orientation of the pleasant town we were back in the car to search out the Termas Geometricas, a thermal spa which had received good reviews. Armed with a map from the hotel reception we set out on our quest. Big mistake. I now know why the car hire company told us that if we rolled the car we wold not be insured. Not that we did, but being forced to turn around on 3 separate occasions on 20% inclines strewn with rocks proved either the inaccuracy of our map or the foolishness of our mission. Either way we gave up on Termas Geometricas, and settled instead for Termas St Louis.

Termas St. Louis is a little jaded - past its best. Half the pools were closed, and the place was slightly run down. Nevertheless we enjoyed 2 hours of relaxation in the outdoor pools,naturally heated to 38 degrees, in a pretty setting with views over distant Volcano Villarrica. This is regarded as the most active volcano in the chain, the interior is still a boiling cauldron of molten lava. I am certain I spotted a thin whisp of smoke from its summit.

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Volcano Quetropillan at sunset