2025/26 - #5 Cascadas del río Turbio - Parque Cerdúo (The Pig) Cont'd...

 

Another perfect day here for biking.  But when walking that steep hill, I could not believe that I actually rode it earlier.

That was not a good idea, more so when you are clipped into your pedals in a way that makes dismounting a risky proposition on a steep climb.

Next time, I will know when I see a road sign warning trucks of a steep climb, that it is probably time to get off the bike and walk, before getting part-way up it.

Nice view of Volcan Villarica in the distance.

Friendly chap at the entrance.

Photos by Jaro Franta

2025/26 - #4 Cascadas del río Turbio - Parque Cerdúo (The Pig)

 

Today’s ride was about as close as I will ever get to being on “The Yellow Brick Road”.   Pretty unbelievable....

Wikipedia - Common Gorse.  

Coconut scented, this is an evergreen scrub.   The solitary flowers are yellow, 1–2 cm long, with the pea flower structure.  Flowers are produced throughout the year, but mainly over a long period in spring. 

The fruit is a legume (pod) 2 cm long, purplish-brown, partly enclosed by the pale brown remnants of the flower.  The pod contains 2–3 small blackish, shiny, hard seeds which are ejected when the pod splits open in hot weather.  Seeds remain viable for 30 years.

This is a fire-climax plant, which readily catches fire but regrows from the roots after the fire. The seeds are also adapted to germinate after scorching by fire. It has a tap root, lateral and adventitious roots. 

An extremely tough and hardy plant, it survives temperatures down to −20 °C.  It can live for about thirty years.

Cont'd next blog...

Photos by Jaro Franta

2025/26 - #3 Todays Ride NE of Pucon

 

A few photos from today’s ride north-east from Pucon, mainly on the S919 and S905, not quite to Caburgua.  Very scenic ride, and Garmin was behaving well today.

S919 includes several kilometers of rough gravel road, including one very challenging climb.  I was not sure if I would make it to the top, considering my lack of fitness at the moment, but “slow & steady” won the day, without getting off the bike.

Not only is the gravel rough, it also has a fair bit of washboard, including on that steep climb.

On the return to Pucon, I passed by ZPC – the Pucon airport that does not have commercial service (I saw a private jet stationed near the control tower).  Many years ago, the UK royals landed there, on a visit to Araucania.

"Home sweet Home", only about a block away.  You can just about see the flag on my balcony from the end of Urrutia street.

Temperatures are funny here.  Right near Lago Villarica, it is typically several degrees cooler than farther inland, due to a cool breeze off the lake.  Makes preparing for a bike ride a bit tricky.

Photos by Jaro Franta

2025/26 - #2 Riding some Gravel, NE of Pucon

 A few kms out of Pucon - the road is still paved.…

Crossing the bridge over Rio Pucon O Minetue - the gravel roads start just a few hundred meters farther north.  The river seems to be a popular rafting and kayaking venue - many businesses in and around Pucon run tours and rent kayaks.

I doubled back on the bridge before continuing, when I realized that it is a good spot for viewing three big volcanoes in the region: Villarica, Quetrupillan, and Lanin.

The most distant one, Lanin, is 54 km away.  Three-quarters of Lanin are actually in neighboring Argentina, not far from the tourist town of San Martin de Los Andes (or SMA for short, as seen on souvenir caps and T-shirts).  The old bridge is just left to decay away.

No bridge here.  Didn't feel like wading across....

 

My Garmin CPS device was not working today, but I did get it working half way through.  With the photo from the bridge, I was a bit disoriented, thinking I was looking North.  Upon checking Google Maps at home, my perception was off by about 130 degrees.   

Photos by Jaro Franta

2025/26 - #1 Flight from Montreal to Pucon, Chile

 

At the end of October, I flew from Montreal to the town of Pucon, Chile.  I will stay to the end of March/26.  The flight ended in Temuco, and there was a minibus service to Pucon, about an hour and a half, and it dropped you off at your destination.  

Everything is included in the suite, but no washer/dryer.  However, there are laundry services nearby.  My rent for the five months will be $17,442 (Canadian).   

Wikipedia – Pucon is on the eastern shore of Lake Villarrica, and the Villarrica Volcano is located roughly 17 kms to the south.

Pucon’s location by a lake and a volcano, along with its relatively stable climate, especially in summer, make it a popular destination for tourists.  

It has striking natural surroundings, which include volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, nature reserves and hot springs.

Despite its relatively small urban area, accommodation infrastructure in Pucón is well developed, ranging from backpacker hostels to luxury hotels. Chilean and international cuisine can be found in one of the town's several restaurants and cafes.

Photos by Jaro Franta

2024/25 - #13 Flight from Azores to Montreal

 

Near center of town, still a couple of blocks from the coast.  Bike shop nearby, where I bought a souvenir jersey.

This little botanical garden in Ponta Delgada is quite a gem.  Very popular too.

Polish square rigger in port.

On April 17th, I took a flight from the Azores home to Montreal.

Map showing the Canary Islands and Azores.

 Follow us for next winter’s travel….

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

2024/25 - #12 Azores Palaces and Botanical Gardens

Yesterday was quite rainy, but the wind direction changed overnight from northerly to southerly, with the result that it was nicer and warmer today.  I am staying at Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel.   

Wikipedia - Corvo (the smallest island – only 7 sq mi) is a crater of a major Plinian eruption.  Flores is a rugged island carved by many valleys and escarpments.

Faial is characterized for its Shield volcano and caldera.  Pico -  highest point in the Azores and continental Portugal.

Graciosa is known for its active Furnas do Enxofre and mixture of volcanic cones and plains.  São Jorge is a long slender island, formed from fissural eruptions over thousands of years.

Terceira, almost circular, is the location of one of the largest craters in the region.  São Miguel is the largest island and is pitted with many large craters and fields of spatter cones.

Santa Maria – the oldest island – is heavily eroded, being one of the few places to encounter brown sandy beaches in the archipelago.

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

2024/25 - #1l Flight from Tenerife to Azores

Wikipedia - This is an archipelago composed of nine volcanic islands in the Macaronesia region of the North Atlantic Ocean, about 1930 km (1200 miles) southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.   The largest city of the Azores is Ponta Delgada.

April 2 - Had to stay at this hotel for one night when I arrived because I could not get into my Airbnb, which is a short walk away, in the apartment blocks behind.  Seems to be a popular hotel, going by the number of people who showed up for breakfast the next morning.  Airbnb refunded the cost of the one day that I missed, plus the difference between that and the cost of the hotel room, which was €104.

Nice walk going east along the coast.

The flight was more complicated than I hoped for, but it was about the best available - no direct flights yet (seasonal) between Azores and Canaries.  The flight went Tenerife - Madrid - Porto - Ponta Delgada.

The apartment block where my Airbnb is located, just left of center, 5th floor, but on the far side (west) of the building.

The view from the balcony of my Airbnb on the 5th floor, west side of the apartment block.

Photos belong to Jaro Franta

 

2024/25 - #10 Hike around Tegueste (cont'd)...

 

Tenerife Travel Guide - Tegueste, a charming town in Tenerife, is beautifully enveloped by some of the island’s most stunning natural landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Tenerife Travel Guide - Tegueste is also bordered by rugged mountains, providing a dramatic contrast to the town’s lush vineyards and fields.  Hiking in these mountains offers a chance to explore the diverse terrain of Tenerife, from rocky paths to verdant valleys, and to enjoy panoramic views of the island and the ocean.

On the east end of the loop, on the south side of the ravine, is where some of the fancier houses and properties can be found, with expensive cars parked in front.

Looping back to the west, the route goes through the old town (and around the town hall and pedestrians-only street)...

Before heading back downhill along the busy TF-13 for a bit.

I could only find one store that is decked out for Valentine’s - maybe too early?

Photos belong to Jaro Franta.