Happy New Years!

We made it!  195 km or so in two days.  The Villarica to Lanco part was a new record for us: 115 km in one day, 35 km of that was unpaved.  Punishingly unpaved.  My legs are still a little sore, but my wrists are actually the hardest hit from the long days.

We spent New Year's Eve at a small, German-influenced bar near our hostel.  Just the owners, family, staff and us.  Despite the fact we were intruding on their family celebration (hey, the sign said they were open!) they were very friendly and there were "Buena Años" and hugs and kisses all around come midnight.  A couple glasses of champagne and we hit the road around 1:30, just as everyone else was hitting the streets.  Seems that everyone stays at home until about 1am and then goes out and parties the rest of the night. 

Here in the southern hemisphere, New Year's marks the beginning of summer.  Kids are out of school for the next few months and everyone goes on vacation.  It's been hard for me to get my head around the fact that summer is just starting over the traditionally snow-covered holidays.

Today was nice and quiet.  We took a short boat tour of the forts by the mouth of the river.  We'll probably head off tomorrow for a short ride to the coast and an overnight on the beach.