The plane landed in Santiago, where it was around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. We were shuttled to the ship
which departed from Valparaiso The sea air was cooler than in the city. We spent a full day at sea,
and some 700 miles later we stopped at Puerto Montt.
Most of the coast of Chile is vertical mountains, and any village so close to the sea, such as Puerto Montt, is a real rarity. We did a tour of this lake country, consisting of a visit to a fish and produce market, and then to a farm for more fresh greens. We were guided by our chef/host. The tour ended with a meal prepared by him, in his restaurant on the shore of a large beautiful fresh water lake, with a view of the Andes mountains behind it.
Puerto Montt is where the Pan American Highway ends, and the Patagonian region begins. Puerto
Montt has many German colonists, who began settling the area as long ago as 1852. Many of the early
homes, such as the farm house from which the picture of the doorway was taken, are of definite Bavarian influence.