Passing into Chile again for service and tire change of the motorcycle – and also a re-pack and cleaning of the rider and equipment.
In Osorno there is the most southern certified BMW service point, and what makes these guys special, is that they always have motorcycle tires. This is apparently a thing especially in Argentina, so after having spoken to three different dealers in Argentina, I crossed the border again. Service and price was absolutely ok – tire in the high end, service in the low end compared to home. So now the bike is ready for another 10k before service is needed. And they even washed it.
Osorno is placed in the middle of farm land – and it looks remarkable like something in northern Europe. The pass from Argentina goes through a 17km deadzone – and it really looked dead. Between the two countries’ checkpoints you pass a national park with great views and thousands of dead trees.
The national park also hosted a number of small and larger waterfalls – some very visible and others where you need to walk some – this little one was only 500m from the road.
Service day over and bike is re-packed – after spending over half of the journey some learnings now required a slightly different packing order – but I must say the preparations has worked. Besides the non-camping so far only a very few items has not been used – and I’m updating my list so that I can share it later.
Now I thought that I was going south on Carretera Austral, Ruta 7, from Puerto Montt to Chaiten via Hornopiren, but (and I was warned) the ferry from Hornopiren going south was fully booked the next 10 days – so that option was quickly out. I even contacted the ferry-line to ask if the “fully booked for vehicles” also included bikes – and it did.
So as an alternative I booked a 6 hour ferry from Chiloe Island to Chaiten, and then I will be back on Ruta 7 – actually it turned out to be another beautiful detour.
The Chiloe Island is reached with a ferry from Paraguay to Chacao, and this island is a little gem. Hilly with only wooden houses – some asking for Gori (old and tired) and others in prestine condition (new). The area is also known for numerous small wooden churches and I did see a lot, but not so memorable to stop and take a photo.
I chose to take a detour from Osorno even if the weather was not looking promising – 75km south of Osorno there is a white tipped volcano – Volcano Osorno (brilliant naming). Coming from north it was completely covered in grey clouds, so I feared the detour was for nothing – but as I turned another corner the clouds started to move and there it was in all its glory. Driving away towards Puerto Montt and the ferry connection the clouds came back – and what luck on Friday the 13th.
Arriving late afternoon in Quellón and checking into the hostel, I needed to rest a bit – and then when the wifi of the hostel is fast, then I could listen to the first Danish game of the World Championship in handball.
Tomorrow is up early – the ferry to Chaiten and Ruta 7 leave at 8 with check-in 5.30 …
