Where there are volcanoes, there are thermal baths, and so it is throughout the Lake District. After the volcano climb, we spent the next day soothing tired muscles at one of the many thermal baths outside of Pucón. Los Pozones is a little more rustic than some of the more elite baths, but it suited our tastes. Six pools follow the river downstream, each becoming warmer. It felt glorious to soak a bit.
Turn in any direction in the Lake District, and you will see at least one volcano. Turn 360 degrees, and you can probably see three. The smoking Volcán Villarrica looms over Pucón. From our hotel in the Huilo-Huilo biosphere, we could see Volcán Choshueno. Last night, we stayed outside the Puyehue National Park and could see both Volcán Puyehue (pronounced Poo-Jay-Way) and Volcán Carran from the hotel deck. This past June, a new crater in Puyehue park erupted, spewing a cloud of
ash high over the Andes. Because the wind generally blows West to East, Bariloche in Argentina got the worst of it. Yesterday, though, the wind had shifted, and the air over the Lake District was hazy and full of ash particles. After sitting out on the deck for an hour or so, we were covered with the gritty volcano dust.
I would never attempt to translate anything from English to Spanish, so I really should not comment on the English translations we have found on many of the public signs and restaurant menus—but I will anyway. We have had more than a few chuckles at these translations. Our favorite by far were the recommendations (rules) at the thermal pools. You just have to smile at, “Don’t Drink Alcoholic Beverages Heither Use Other Dinks”. The English sign omitted the recommendation that there was to be no sex in any of the pools. Maybe the translator had the good sense not to attempt to translate that one into English.
As for the recommendation to never put your head into the water for a long time—well, that just makes good life sense. Maybe it is akin to getting out and smelling the roses from time to time. Keeping my head above water has always been a guiding principle of mine.
