Breakfast was served between 8 & 10:30. We showed up at 10:29. Afterwards we asked Stefan about a few of the nearby attractions. We were tipped off on a nearby waterfall at Arroyo Maqui and given more information about the abandoned mine which Zach had seen online and was curious about.
In the end we walked to the waterfall shortly after noon. It was a nice, warm day and we walked along the gravel road lined with rosehips. I can only imagine the perfume in the air when the wild roses are in bloom!
The waterfall itself was pretty but we couldn't cross to the side with the good view without getting soaked so we opted for a 'tick-the-box' visit and headed back to the cabin for a picnic lunch on our gorgeous veranda.
As I sat in Babe and Zach did the 'pre-trip inspection' prior to a trip into town I heard an 'oh no!'. Apparently on the drive in yesterday all that shaking caused the mount for the radiator to break so we needed to find a mechanic in town. Stefan and Louis were headed into town anyway so they led the way to the mechanic's shop.
It was amazing to observe that boys are boys no matter where you are and they inherently love trucks and cars! These guys were drooling over Babe and more than happy to help solder a part of the engine...all for the sum of ~$2US!
The mechanics drooling over Babe.
We snooped around the town of Puerto Guardal. We hit the supermercados and the ferreteria. We confirmed that the gas station was closed for the simple reason that they didn't have any petrol to sell because of the road blocks. We went to a general store and gawked at the range of selection of 'things' that they had; it was fascinating! Christmas pudding, 400 speed film rolls, SIM cards, pumpkin, motor oil, tacky fridge magnets were all there. It reminded me of the Bragg Creek Trading Post where I used to work. Anything you needed was there (except the 12V coffee mug heater Zach was on the hunt for!).
After our visit to town we headed back to the hotel to pick up Louis who came with us to the abandoned mine. I initially thought he just wanted to tag along but since he and his family apparently own some of the land up here, he played the role of tour guide instead.
The mine only closed 30 years ago. Apparently they had extracted all the minerals that were there. It was interesting to see all that was still there including the old mine shaft entrance, milling area, and inside the old buildings (that are still standing). I could imagine how loud it would have been there when it was operating at full capacity. Today it was eerily silent and still; there wasn't even a breath of wind.
Zach, checking out the old factory and yes...he wore the pink paper tie all day. Love it!
Sunset, beers and rock skipping seem to go hand in hand so down we went to play by the shore before dinner. Just another day in paradise!
The end of our already full day was completed with a BBQ with the Dutch owners and a Brazilian couple also staying here. There was quite a mix of languages and accents but the wine and beers helped with everyone's comprehension! ;o)
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