070108 - "Stupid question... But just how are we gonna cross over to Isla Chiloé?"

Ancud, CHL - Isla Chiloé is a nice place, away from all the hectic tourism of Pucon. A laid-back place that is famous for its wooden churches. And for its penguins. This being the main reason for us crossing over to the island. Eva, as the guide and itinarary planner, took care of the travel arrangements. I had no plan where we went. All I knew, Isla Chiloé is an island. ?¿?

Well, to be honest, I come from an island. So crossing over to it seemed like no big deal. Man, there's bridges. So please... But here: total different story. The crossing took place by ferry. The bus company not only owns buses, but also some ships. Apparently. Pretty cool.

In the hostel we met a bunch of people (a laid-off worker from Germany, a Norwegian girl and an Austrian who had his face burnt badily while climbing Volcan Villarrica and now is facial skin was pealing off) and together we arranged a taxi-ride to the Pingüinera.

As we arrived early nobody of the fishermen seemed to care of giving us a boar ride out to the penguin colonies. Finally a kid approached. His dad was still eating breakfast but later would gladly give us a tour. As he arrived he took us to his boat which took him quiet a while getting going. It was stuck on a sand bank. Thus all guys of us and some other fishermen helped out. The boat wa ready to be launched... and in came the "walk-way". Really nice feature, but I couldn't belive me eyes. Really, a walkway, on which we would climb and the son rolled it up to the boat so we wouldn't get our feet wet. Amazing.

The tour ended quickly after visting all four colonies, but remains momorable thanks to Carlos' vivid explainations.

As we left the little port dozens of "human-penguins" came out of the huts. A quick talk revailed that they all were members of a corporation. They went out to the reefs to research the extensive growth of the mussels -- over the last few months they had grown about 3cm, from 9cm to now 12cm.

It started pouring rain. So we hit under a tree and hoped to catch a ride back. Which we eventually did. Soaked wet we arrived back at the hostel. And before going back to Puerto Varas (without going to Castro, the center of Isla Chiloé with the amazing churches) we spend the time drying ourselves in the winter garden of the hostel.