Leg distance - 36.01km
Leg time - 1:58.48
Total distance - 413.64km
I opted for a short leg today having decided to visit Lican Ray, a small and picturesque village on the Lago Calafquen. I wouldn't say it was a wasted day, as it was northbound progress after all, but I would rather have continued on to Villarica had I known what it was going to be like. Not that it's hugely unpleasant, far from it, it has two big beaches overlooking a stunning lake and volcanoes, but it's a resort town. An expensive, over-rated, dust bowl (one paved road) of a resort town. And the kind of resort town that not only knows it's a resort town, but also knows that none of it's attractions (the lake, the view, the sun...) are the product of its own merits as a town. It's depressing enough to be in now, during the tail end of summer, one can only imagine what it's like in the winter.
Not that you'd notice that it's the tail end of summer mind. Gone are the clouds and cool breezes of the southern lakes, it has been 30+C practically every day since leaving Valdivia - what a difference 400km make. Not ideal cycling weather, admittedly, but it's the mosquitoes that are proving the biggest annoyance. The bastards are having a veritable feast with my ankles and I don't have any insect repellent (there doesn't seem to be any in the whole of Lican Ray, either, just when it couldn't seem any less appealing). I've half been considering coating myself in Savlon antiseptic spray, which I do have, or even toothpaste. Either way, I'm expecting a night befitting of the shit-hole town that is Lican Ray. Bring on Villarica.
Leg time - 1:58.48
Total distance - 413.64km
I opted for a short leg today having decided to visit Lican Ray, a small and picturesque village on the Lago Calafquen. I wouldn't say it was a wasted day, as it was northbound progress after all, but I would rather have continued on to Villarica had I known what it was going to be like. Not that it's hugely unpleasant, far from it, it has two big beaches overlooking a stunning lake and volcanoes, but it's a resort town. An expensive, over-rated, dust bowl (one paved road) of a resort town. And the kind of resort town that not only knows it's a resort town, but also knows that none of it's attractions (the lake, the view, the sun...) are the product of its own merits as a town. It's depressing enough to be in now, during the tail end of summer, one can only imagine what it's like in the winter.
Not that you'd notice that it's the tail end of summer mind. Gone are the clouds and cool breezes of the southern lakes, it has been 30+C practically every day since leaving Valdivia - what a difference 400km make. Not ideal cycling weather, admittedly, but it's the mosquitoes that are proving the biggest annoyance. The bastards are having a veritable feast with my ankles and I don't have any insect repellent (there doesn't seem to be any in the whole of Lican Ray, either, just when it couldn't seem any less appealing). I've half been considering coating myself in Savlon antiseptic spray, which I do have, or even toothpaste. Either way, I'm expecting a night befitting of the shit-hole town that is Lican Ray. Bring on Villarica.
Mosquitoes are a part of our own ecosystem too and now clearly climbing up to the top of the food pyramid. Well done! You are contributing to make a better planet!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Americans should take example.