Being on an "active" tour means you have to move your butt. I kinda forgot to tell my butt that, or any other part of my body for that matter. We left the hotel at 8:30 for a day of "walking" in the foothills of the Andes. Or so I was led to believe by Fredy.
We arrived at a parking lot full of cars with people unpacking picnic baskets and walking sticks. How bad could this be...
Gorgeous day, a little cloudy which helps keep it cool. We met our trekking guide, Felix. Nice enough guy, but did he just call himself a TREKKING guide? Spidey senses starting to tingle. We are told that the first 20 mins will be the hardest part of the easiest part. What does that mean? For those of you who know me, you know I am more at home in the water than on the side of a mountain. So, you know this does not bode well. Off we start, my tour mates, who are all at least 10 years younger than I, are chatting about how this is good prep work for their next marathons. Oh shit!
I make it a respectable 50 metres (seemingly straight up) before I am drenched in sweat (so much for that sunscreen) and sucking for air. Not a problem, I have nothing to contribute to the marathon discussions anyway. Fredy is mercifully staying behind me. I guess it's easier to find the body when you see it plunge over the edge.
Other tour groups are now passing us. My group finally stops for a water break. Are we there yet?
We continue on with several picturesque stops, but I spend the whole time staring at my feet trying not to slip. After about 75 mins we get to a lovely spot that Felix generously calls 'about half way'. Barely in kilometres, but no where near halfway in terms of effort. I haven't passed out yet - victory
There is a small waterfall, a stand of welcoming shady trees and some comfy looking boulders. This is where you need to decide your next steps carefully. Continue up, which apparently is harder than the first bit and at least 2.5 hours for those who can run a marathon. I choose to enjoy myself rather than make a group of complete strangers carry my body off the mountain. I wave them off and sit my ass down. I watch other hikers come and go; imaging what brought them here today. I have to say, the majority of them were doing the same as me; resting up and heading back down. Felix had recommended an alternate path down, so I got a more rounded view. Anything other than staring at my shoes willing my feet to keep moving was going to be fabulous. Before I headed down, I took time to meditate on my incredible good fortune. Here I am in a gorgeous part of the world with only myself to please. Gratefulness doesn't seem enough.
I decided to take my time and savour every step and moment. Be in the presence of this incredible natural wonder around me. It has been a long time since I have been out in nature by myself. I was rewarded within the first couple of minutes with a fantastic swinging bridge. All to myself. As I kept going I felt completely at easy surrounded by flowers, birds, and the occasionally gecko-like creature. Everyone who passed by had a friendly "Ola". Some questioned my solo travelling style. Or so my limited Spanish leads me to believe.
I found a great lookout spot to stop for lunch. A ham and cheese sandwich never tasted so good with such a majestic view.
As the parking lot below came into sight, I became aware of an incredible humming sound all around me. I was standing in a huge field of full bloom clover. It was alive with bees. Apparently honey is a big industry here. I was amazing to be in a sea of flowers and busy bees. Honey, yum. Crap, hungry again.
I finally emerged at the starting point. It might not have been the "walk" that g adventures advertised, but it was the best 5 hours I've had in a long time.
I decided I deserved a well earned treat. Café con letche and slice of apple and current pie. Perfecto!
The rest of the group arrived a couple of hours later completely wiped out. They had fun, but I know I had the best this place had to offer me. Gracias Parque Aguas de Ramon.
Tomorrow is an eight hour bus ride from Santiago across the border to Mendoza, Argentina. Hopefully that will be an uneventful ride into the land of wine.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment