Glacial Camping

We returned to Yerba Loca for another round of hiking and camping, and this time we made it even further into the mountains.

Our hike started off in a lovely green valley, but the terrain changed over the 13km. Near the end it got pretty steep and rocky as we gained another 500m past the waterfalls that freeze in winter.

The glacier is actually much higher and further away than we anticipated, and although we though we were close last time, and closer this time, it still took Daniel over an hour on an early morning run to reach it. Here's hoping we both make it all the way next time!

Matrimonio Chileno

Our friends, Federico and Joselin, got married on Saturday 14 January, and we were invited to share their special day. Chilean weddings are a serious all-night affair with the ceremony only starting at 8 o'clock at night!

We arrived at the reception venue and sat down to dinner at around 10pm and then the dancing started. We managed to stay until 3am, just as the appetizers were being served, but we weren't hardcore enough to last until the soup at 5am...

Felicitaciones, Fede y Yoyo! Prospera vida matrimonial!

70km Race

On Sunday 8 January Daniel competed in the Licanray-Villarrica 70km Ultra Maraton. After a spectacular sprint, he claimed a podium finish with third place in a time of 6:01:20.

Congratulations, Daniel!

Official race results:
http://www.olimpo.cl/sitio/ultra_resultados2012.html

Article in La Segunda newspaper:
http://www.lasegunda.com/Noticias/Impreso/2012/01/711481/ultramaraton-70-km-al-limite

Official race photos:
(to be uploaded)

Pucón-Villarrica-Lican Ray

We spent the weekend exploring three little villages in Chile's "Lake District": Pucón, Villarrica and Lican Ray. These villages are popular in winter for skiing and hot springs, and in summer for the lakes and beautiful views of the volcano.

We stayed in a cabaña in Lican Ray near La Playa Chica. All the beaches in the area have black sand because of the volcano, and the lakes are a clear, deep blue. We took a boat ride on the tranquil Lago Calafquen, admiring the colorful boats and beautiful private islands.

The area is also where the native Mapuche hail from and there are craft markets galore. We'll definitely be back to visit this beautiful part of Chile.

Camping in the Andes

Daniel and I spent New Year's Eve camping in the Andes. We hiked up from Yerba Loca to a beautiful camping site at over 2800m near a glacier. We managed to sneak a bottle of wine into our rucksacks, which we enjoyed in our valley, next to a river, with the glacier and waterfalls in the background.

It was a little hard at times to take in enough fresh air for the next breath, but we survived the altitude and welcomed the new year together.

¡Feliz Año Nuevo a todo!

Penguins!

Boulders Beach is home to a colony of African Penguins. From just two breeding pairs in 1982, the penguin colony has grown to about 3000 penguins today.

Cape Town

We spent a lovely few days in Cape Town, revisiting old haunts and soaking up some sun and sunsets along the coast.

Our favorite beach, Llandadno 

Table Mountain from Signal Hill 

Table Mountain from the Waterfront 

The Waterfront at sunset 

The Waterfront at sunset 

The Waterfront at night 

Hout Bay from Chapman's Peak 

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens 

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Walker Wedding

On 16 December, my brother Gavin married Debby in a beautiful, fun ceremony in Cape Town. The groom and groomsmen were dashing, the bride and bridesmaids were gorgeous, and all the guests had a wonderful time. Here are some pictures of the special day.

Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Walker!

4ta Corrida Familiar

Once again our local park hosted a family event over the weekend, this time a family race around the neighbourhood. We entered the 5km race and I was very proud of myself for running the whole way! Daniel, of course, hardly even noticed that we were running...