Horseback riding in Puerto Montt

 After a day at sea we arrive at Puerto Montt, Chile a charming sea side town.  The city was founded in 1853 after government-sponsored immigration brought Germans here to populate and develop this remote region.  By 1912, a train linked Puerto Montt to Santiago.  This opened up trade from larger cities and helped develop a local economy.  The city is surrounded by snowcapped volcanoes Osorno and Calbuco, one dormant and the later still active.   On our way to the horseback riding place we passed through the German flavored village of Puerto Vargas which skirts the beautiful Llanquihue Lake.  It was an absolute gorgeous day, bright sunshine and mid 60’s, which normally would be too cold for me, but, because of its geographical location and the bright sunshine almost seemed balmy.  The ride through the countryside was truly fascinating.  While the towns buildings were rather boring looking the country side homes were of modern European design, lots of large glass window to showcase the surroundings, its lovely rolling hills, with horse and now pastures.  

We were a group of 6, it felt like a private tour.  The horse were beautiful, well cared for.  The grounds and stables pristine, with lots of open land for the horses to frolic and well be horses.  The horses seemed well trained to handled amateur rides, yet my friend Margit managed to get an unruly horse. So for her it was not as pleasant an experience as it could have been.   Non the less, riding through the countryside and rainforest was great.  The next day I had to acknowledge that I was not as young as I used to be and had a sore neck and butt from the ride.  Luckily these reminders of  “hey you’re not 30 anymore” were gone after the second day.  It was a awesome day.  

Arriving at Puerto Montt.  The tide was so low some of the smaller boats were aground. 
The country side with the Osorno Volcano in the background 
The same volcano towering over Lake Llanquihue  as seen from the German influenced town of Puerto Varas
The reception committee as we arrived back from our wonderful excursion. The music was playing and the crew lined up on both sides were clapping and dancing and cheering us on.  
View of us departing, now the tide was up and all the boats were floating again.  

Oh!  And who that?   It’s yours truly,  on the horse that took me for a wonderful ride through the country side and rain forest.  

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