From Santiago we bused 12 hours south to Valdivia, Chile. Valdivia is known for strong earthquakes (the strongest earthquake ever recorded in the world had its shake in 1960, measuring in at about 9.6 on the Richter scale, its epicenter near Valdivia), German food/beer (in the late 19^th century, thousands of Germans arrived on Chilean shores near Valdivia bringing with them breweries and German food), and sea-lions.

Our first views of the river proved fruitful in seeing the massive sea creatures. The males really do look like lions with flippers.

Valdivia’s cathedral has a certain strictly-practical look to it

The rise and fall of Valdivia’s most important churches and cathedrals, the falls corresponding with years of strong seismic activity. No sugar-coating around it, the current cathedral has a space after the 1996 –

Craft beer enjoyment

Making cookies

We went to Valdivia’s most commercial brewery for a brewery tour and tastings. We had just missed the on-the-hour tour, so with 45 minutes to spare, we indulged in some window  reflection photo-fun

Lúpulos, hops, grows up, on vines!

The Ford truck used during Oktoberfest to deliver delicious brews.

Serving ourselves straight from the tank, Torobayo unfiltered.

Afterward we tried twelve mini-beers

Click here for a beer tasting.

On Sunday we headed to the Feria Fluvial, the fish market. As you can see, the fishermen had an attentive garbage disposal.

Foucault’s pendulum

Road to the UACH University which houses a botanical garden.

Chile’s national tree, Araucaria Angustifolia

Even though we had bused about 30 hours south from where we started in Chile, we were still only at the halfway point of the country : I’m standing in Valdivia, Julien is at the southern tip of Patagonia.

Hanging out, passing time before our night bus back up to Santiago. Next stop: Mendoza, Argentina!