The 7 Chilean lakes

After the long Carretera Austral, the beautiful tourist region of the 7 lakes is unfolding a little too quickly!

Nicolas, at the fruit and vegetable market.

The small tourist town of Puerto Varas, Chile, was founded as a German colony in the mid-19th century. The architecture leaves him more than guess even today. There are buildings and houses with a European feel almost everywhere near the great Llanquihue lake, the 2nd largest in Chile, on which the city sits.

The place is so beautiful that I decide to spend a few days there. Nicolas, the manager of the hostel behind which I pitch my tent, takes advantage of my love of music and different cultures to offer me a 2 hour lesson on South American music. It's fascinating !

Like many Chileans, Nicolas comes from a mixture of cultures. Jewish grandfather and another Spanish. A Dutch grandmother. He also worked for several years in Ecuador before traveling and returning to Chile. With this enthusiast, I learn in particular that the Argentine rock n 'roll scene has developed a lot after the Falklands War. In the early 1980s, the country wanted to get away from British influences as much as possible and they started making their own rock. These artists and this movement have grown to have influences in all South American countries.

Superb forest road going from one lake to another.

The 7 lakes

After Puerto Varas begins the beautiful 7 lakes region. The distances are not very great from one lake to another and the view always points to one of the many volcanoes in the region. There are even sometimes cycle paths along the way.

The Osorno volcano on the shores of Lake Llanquihue.

Theresa and Luisa behind the counter of a lost snack bar. Their cheese empanadas were divine!

We meet a few French people on the road, including a Breton couple on recumbent bikes. I am happy to try one!

The region is also very agricultural. We meet cows, horses, sheep. The green landscapes with many hills are sometimes reminiscent of Europe - France or Belgium for example. But also the Eastern Townships or the Lower Laurentians. There are still many barbed wire fences but also others in wood or stone, less aggressive. The fields are mostly grass pastures for animals. A yellow of wheat also sometimes brightens the view. Just like the vegetable gardens and the flowers outside several houses. The latter in particular demonstrates that the local population here not only survive but also find time for leisure and the pleasures of life.

By alternating asphalt and gravel from one lake to another, you can jump from one tourist pocket to the next at the same time. Some lakes are inaccessible to us, surrounded by the immense land and country houses of the most fortunate. You can even see motor boats at anchor there. Clear sign of development and opulence. Other beaches, however, are more occupied by the local population or passing tourists ... and are often also unfortunately littered with waste.

Let yourself grow

A rare photo of one of my favorite techniques: hang on to the trucks to climb the hills!

Many of these roads are quite busy, however. From tourists to logging trucks, country roads sometimes look like highways.

I stop at a bus shelter towards the end of the Lake District. The noise of the fast tires on the asphalt is exhausting here. Each truck that closely passes me on this small shoulder emits a low hum that shakes me, leaving me feeling stressed and uncomfortable for a few seconds.

I focus on something else instead.

The wind is strong today and pushes me quite well in the back. In front of me, on the other side of the path are very large leafy trees that soar towards the cerulean sky. They let themselves be rocked like reeds. I look at them and listen to the enormous rustle of their leaves.

The wind which passes through this forest emits low frequencies which vary according to the force of the breath. I close my eyes. Then I make out like a light instrument above this orchestra of trees. The little birds are numerous and sing like so many small flutes.

Circulation or not, it is for these moments of discovery and inner peace that the bike trip is so pleasant.

The Puntiagudo Volcano on the shores of Lake Rupanco.