Puerto Montt

 The Carretera Austral ends in Puerto Montt. The 9-hour ferry ride was about an hour late due to another ferry departing the dock late. It was sunset at 10pm when we finally departed. We were originally scheduled to take a series of three ferries back to Puerto Montt, but they changed the time and we would have arrived very late at our destination in Osorno. Nonetheless, we didn't arrive in Osorno until just after 11pm. Sergio made another appearance - he stayed at the same place as us in Chaitén and was on the same ferry. He had a different plan to get back to Santiago so we said goodbye again.

The magic of South America revealed itself once again when we reached Osorno. There we met Carlos' friends Jorge and Carmen on their hazelnut ranch. It was after 11pm when we arrived, but they warmly greeted us with Pisco Sours and an asado in their quincho! The hospitality here is incomparable to anything in the US. Oh, have I mentioned how much I love the concept of the quincho? Well, they're awesome!

I said goodbye to Carlos and Matias the next morning. I said goodbye to Zivko in Punta Arenas and I will say goodbye to Albin in Santiago. I've spent more than a month with these guys starting in Mendoza, Argentina. I truly enjoyed my time with these guys and will always remember this trip.