03.02.08 - Puerto Montt

Plan "B"

Our absailing adventure was scheduled for a 1:00pm start. We waited at the office, assuming that things would start on Latin American Standard time, anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour late. What we were greeted with a half hour later was that the trip had been cancelled because the guide was sick. A more ready translation was that the guide drank too much on a Saturday night and it wasn’t worth his while to take a small group of two up the mountain, with a hangover. There is no recourse in South America, so the best that can be done is to let the disappointment slide and find a new game plan. At least the day was clear and sunny.



So, Canadian Dan and I decided to see if we could replicate a few of the postcard photos seen hanging in shops. The obvious piece of town architecture to be shot was the church, modeled after its Bavarian counterpart.  



From a distance one can't tell that the entire siding has been covered with the Chilean reconstruction maintenance material of choice, corrugated steel.



However, the ultimate prize was to capture not only the church, but the volcano as well in a single frame.



Across town, the original grand hotel sat perched on a knoll with its own lake and volcano view.



Wandering through town, the German/European influence was clear in shake roofs and walls, but what was even more evident was the disrepair. Hopefully, the character of this small town can be reclaimed prior to impending demolition.



With half an afternoon and early evening remaining, the ideal was to get Canadian Dan as far south as possible, so that meant jumping into a micro-bus and heading to Puerto Montt, which would also be my launching place in the morning.



Puerto Montt is a larger version of Puerto Varas, with a bit more collective history. Busts of former historical figures stand with their back to the sea.



Icons of development, an old locomotive and steam shovel, rust in the seaside promenade.



Next to that is a pretty impressive and modern skate park, complete with ramps.



But, the true beauty and spectacle of Puerto Montt is the harbor front. The city sits in a “U-Shaped” bowl, with the sea occupying the middle. The raised hills cry out for more meaningful city planning. With the mountains, sea, and beautiful weather, the only thing keeping Puerto Montt from blossoming in to a bonafide world destination is an economic base to support the needed development. The two towers in the distance are impressive, where they are, at a distance. On closer inspection, they are empty and weathering. Even so, with the right stimulus, there is potential here.



Returning back to Puerto Varas, it was time for Dan to catch his overnight bus back to Santiago, a flight to Toronto and then home. He has been a great travel buddy and remains an icon of family and marital devotion. I hope to see him and his family later this summer while driving across the United States and into Canada.