Puerto Varas ~ South Chile Travel Pictures

To Puerto Varas From Puerto Montt

Farm fields and volcano near the toll highway between Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas. The highway runs north from Puerto Montt on the Pacific, rises steeply, and then levels out as it passes through 20 kilometres (12.5 miles) of farm land dotted with new subdivisions of small affordable homes, to reach Puerto Varas, on Lago Llanquihue. From Puerto Varas, the route turns northwest to Frutillar, or east to Ensenada and the lake crossing to Bariloche, Argentina.

Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus

The Church of Sacred Heart of Jesus, built in 1915, commands this hilltop overlooking Puerto Varas and the lake. The church is one of many German colonial style buildings in the area. This church, made entirely of oak, was modeled after the Marienkirche in Germany's Black Forest.

Hostel in Puerto Varas

One of many wooden colonial homes built by German immigrants between 1910 and the late 1940s; eight homes are national monuments. This home, one of many nice hostels in Puerto Varas, has north views to the lake. It's in a residential neighbourhood, a few blocks east of Sagrado Corazon. Local tourist offices offer a walking tour map of 28 such homes in the area.

Hand-crafted Copper Jewellery - backpackers on lake

These young people, appearing to be in their 20s, were selling their copper craft from ground blankets on the grassy area between the lakefront street and the small wharf, across from the Casino Puerto Varas. Using needle nose pliers to to unwind, bend and shape thin strands copper wire pulled from nine inch spools, they carefully fashioned elaborate necklaces and earrings.

Colonial Style Wood Home in Puerto Varas

One of the well-kept wooden homes in Puerto Varas, reflecting the Middle European style. The strong legacy of Germany's people and culture in this area did not extend to restaurants in the Bavarian style with menu to match, though my driver said that some foods, like bratwurst, are readily available. And the wonderful European style pastries and baked goods were always included on menus and buffets.

Lago Llanquihue y Volcan Osorno South Chile

This lad drops his fishing line into the chill waters of Lago Llanquihue on the wharf at Puerto Varas. (Note his warm jacket, and the wind-whippped waves.) The lake is 35 kilometres (22 miles) long and 40 kilometres (25 miles) wide. An active volcano, Osorno last erupted in 1869, according to the World Volcanism Program. Its elevation is 2652 metres (8,701 feet). Past lava flows reached Llanquihue, as well as Lake Todos Los Santos, on the far side.

A Natural High -- Mountains and Music

On this sunny but brisk Saturday afternoon, this group of young musicians drummed and strummed for a few passersby, delighted to have an audience. In Puerto Montt, and here in Puerto Varas, groups of well-behaved young people congregated in public places, having a good time, contributing to the community rather than being a cause for concern.

Sunday Sun on the beach at the Lake

What a difference a day makes in the Lake District! Saturday's cold south winds shifted to the north overnight, warming enough to have locals shucking their winter jackets and grabbing some November springtime sun. A few, mostly children, went for a wade in the cold water.

Volcano Puyehue near Ensenada

Heading east from Puerto Varas, about half way to Ensenada, the active Puyehue Volcano comes into view. Its last eruption was on May 24, 1960, 47 hours after an earthquake magnitude 9.5 epicentred under the ocean floor about 200 km (124 miles) from here. This earthquake and ensuing tsunami devasted much of coastal Chile, causing landslides and sinking that altered the shoreline of much of the coast, including Puerto Montt. The quake and tsunami, and the subsequent eruption, are well documented. (See USGS Earthquake details)

Looking North at Volcano Osorno

After snapping the above photo of Puyehue, all I had to do to take this photo was to turn around and there was Volcan Osorno.

This vantage point on the farm is right in the middle of the two, fronting the lake.