Are we in Japan? Germany? No, it's all in the Lake District of Chile

Even though this may look like views of Mt. Fuji and a restaurant in Germany, they are actually Volcan Osorno overlooking the waters of Lago Llanquihue and a German restaurant along the shore of the lake. We spent Friday until Monday in this beautiful area. 

The Lake District is known for its many lakes, volcanos and forests. It is also known for being the center of German settlements beginning in the mid 1880s so their influence is seen in the architecture, art and cuisine. The towns around the lake resemble steepled Bavarian villages. 

Our hotel was perched on a hill at the water's edge and typical of the many mountain chalet style hotels in the area. 

As in Castro, we were able to enjoy a sunrise breakfast. Our room was strategically located on the same floor as the spa (how did they know?) so we each enjoyed another massage. Lovin' this!

 

Day One, Puerto Varas:  This is where we were based. It is located on the southern shore of the lake. While Osorno is the most dramatic of the nearby volcanos, there were several others in view, including Calbuco (snowy peak on the far right of the photo below), which erupted just last year. 

The Iglesia Sagradi Corazon de Jesus was built in 1915 as a to-scale replica of a church in Germany's Black Forest. As with other churches in the area, it is built entirely (inside and outside) from wood. 

The German influence is seen throughout the city.

With some Latin American tile added for good measure. 

Wooden shingles are a common siding in the Lake District and Chiloe

And from every angle, beautiful vistas. 

While mild winter during the day, it was quite chilly at night. 

We bundled up and walked  to everything, including dinner. You can see me post-dinner and Pisco Sour with the lights of Puerto Varas behind me

Day Two, Drive around the lake: Our first full day was partly cloudy as we tooled around Puerto Varas. It was perfect luck and timing that we planned for our second day to be a drive around the lake as the Sunday was sunny and not a cloud to be seen.  Lake Llanquihue, the name means "submersion," is the third largest lake in South America at 338 square miles (as a comparison to other lakes we have driven around, Lake Tahoe is 199 square miles) with the perimeter road being about 116 miles. Other than a stretch of gravel road that google maps detoured us along, it was an easy and gorgeous drive and how we spent our Father's Day. They actually have the holiday here as well, so in addition to the outdoor scenery, the bakeries were adorned with lovely  Father's Day cakes -Feliz dia Papa. 

Lava rock is everywhere, evidence that we are surrounded by volcanos.

As close as we were willing to venture into snow given no chains or snow tires on our little rented Kia,

Very bad selfie but proof that we are traveling together. The trouble with traveling off season is there is often nobody to take a photo of the two of us.

Stopping in the very small village of Puerto Octay, in addition to the bakery in the earlier photo, we spotted this artist creating a sculpture from a tree trunk in the town square

Day Three, Frutillar:  Our final day in the lake region, prior to heading for the airport, we spent the day in Frutillar, just north of Puerto Varas.  It is said to be the lake´s loveliest town, and we would have to agree.  Can only imagine how bustling and amazing it must be during the summer.  Now, the black sand beaches are deserted.

On the waterfront, the Teatro del Lago is a contemporary theater venue and the site of musical festivals and other performances.  It continues the theme of amazing wood contruction and design.

and all against the backdrop of Volcan Osorno (aka Mt Fugi).

Various outdoor sculptures along the lake honor the area´s musical influence.

The Bavarian style is everywhere

And, another wooden church.

Note that what appears to be marble columns are actually wood. 

The Museo Colonial Aleman is in landscaped gardens and features German pioneer era buildings and furnishings.

Our final stop in Frutillar was at the German restaurant featured in the photo at the top of the post. With our last view of the lake we enjoyed lunch before heading back to the airport and a quick flight back to Santiago. Another Uber ride brought us back "home."

Prior to the trip, I had left this crudely created note with total reliance on the GoogleTranslate app with the hope that Rita would have made arroz con pollo for us to enjoy upon our evening return.

It worked!!