Simon says

March 21-23 - We decided to take a break in LA after our overnight flight from Chile before carrying on to Hawaii.  I came to LA 25 years ago from New Zealand on the way home at the end of my gap year.  At the time I was struck by the sprawling expanse of roads and the difficulty of taking public transport anywhere.  As well, we were used to backpacker hostels which are everywhere in Australia and New Zealand but just not as much part of the culture hear in the States.  This time we rented a car and an Airbnb so things looked a bit different.  Although the car can sometimes separate you from the place you are in, and an Airbnb can be isolating from other travellers, the flip side is that you can sort of live the life of a local in some ways.  No more so than in LA, where car is king and everyone spends a lot of time on the road. I think we were staying in a suburb but I think the whole of LA may be a suburb We landed at 7am and with a 4pm check-in, we had time to kill.  I love how ever

 Before we left Pucon we had time to visit some hot baths and to enjoy a couple more meals on our lovely balcony.  We stopped on the way back to Puerto Varas on the side of the Rio Calle Calle for a picnic which was very nice with the cool breeze and sunny day. The river next to the hot baths Hot baths Heat did not deter play Does it count as affection if its caught on a selfie? Our balcony in the condo complex at Parques Pinares, Pucon Rio Calle Calle, quality picnic spot The stay in Puerto Varas was to allow us time to get our pre-USA covid tests and to be close to Puerto Montt airport for our long flight to LA.  We happened upon a triathlon and we enjoyed an early morning watching the swimmers on Llanquihue Lake and the first transition to the bike.   One of the first swimmers exits the water in the triathlon Our flight was in the evening, a couple of hours back to Santiago and then 11 hours to LA.  After the now familiar stress of waiting on covid tests, the rest of the journey wen

We enjoyed rafting the Maipo outside Santiago so much that I was concerned that another river run could disappoint.  No need to have worried!  I think the Maipo maxed out at class II rapids and here there were some class III.  The kids noticed the difference and it was a good progression.  There is something about this activity that everyone in the family seems to love.  Look around the boat at any point and we all have either a serene calm on our faces, reflecting the beautiful natural environment that we are, or a huge grin, or a scream or a whoop as we crash through the white water. At points we could see the volcano that I stood on the top of yesterday.  There are opportunities to jump in to have a swim.  It's just good old wholesome family fun.  Here's the evidence - there are so many great expressions, I have put in a lot of pictures:  Yes, Toby has his tongue out! Is Toby having the time of his life?! Yellow submarine time Toby has taken shelter below the gunwales... The

Approaching the enigmatic crater's edge through a haze of sulphourous gas March 13th - It's always hard to know what to expect when you sign up for an activity with a tour operator.  You can see this volcano looming above the town wherever you are and the known facts were that we would start at around 1400m and climb up to 2860m.  We would be provided with four season boots, crampons, helmet and a gas mask, which we may or may not need.  The volcano last erupted in 2015 and today it spews a steady stream of sulfurous gas.   Instructions, information at the Aguaventura office This was a solo outing; I believe kids over 12 can participate but today it was me, our guide Renee, and a couple from Switzerland: Lauren who is Belgium and Benjamin who is Swiss.  I never sleep too well before these early starts and this time I woke up at 2.30am before dozing on and off until my 5am alarm.  Tea, oatmeal, get dressed, don't forget lunch from the fridge.  As I pulled up to the office of