Found a notion! (say it fast)

A Bueno dia indeed! Again perfect weather, though it didn't look that way first thing this morning--all overcast and almost gray as we left Puerto Varas. Drove through Puerto Montt toward the island of Chiloe to visit a very small school--only 18 students from grades one through six. The school, El Sol Pacifico, has been adopted by the Grand Circle Foundation, of which Overseas Adventures Travel is a part. The school is delighted to have visitors, and even though it is summer vacation and school is not in session--as well as being a Sunday--six students and their mothers were there to greet us. They had delicious snacks prepared--crispy fried doughnutty things, some kind of ?potato pancakes, fruit-filled crepes and some rolls, plus tea or Nescafe (which our guide calls 'no es cafe.') Our guide gave a description of the accomplishments and needs of the school, then we wandered around the two classrooms and the outdoor space before watching a short folkloric dance in full costume--which you'll see a picture of someday, I hope!

On to Chiloe! The ferry crossing was no more than 20 minutes and very calm, quite protected by the island itself. Our guide said the island is about the size of Jamaica, which was meaningless to me as a westerner. Funny the mental images we create: it's an island, right? So I should be able to see the sea! But it's large, so I can't always see it. No problem, I can certainly deal with that and hadn't even been aware of that pre-concept.

We headed right down to the beach though it took 20+ minutes to get there. Wide and flat beach with gentle waves lapping the shore, it too is protected by small islands, the wildlife sanctuary we'll look at from small boats. After lunch (hake this time, tasty too) followed by a stroll down the beach and back, we were issued life jackets and rolled to the boat through the surf on a raised 'wagon', then stepped right into the boat--pretty clever! Off to look for penguins, and within minutes there they were! All over the place!! What a delight! We almost squealed! We saw both varieties as well as oystercatchers, flightless ducks and kelp geese (mother, father and immature female). More excitement ensued as we caught sight of an otter--they are certainly slick, swift swimmers! A lone sea lion basked on a rock with a black vulture, kind of a creepy-looking bird.  It was a thrilling adventure on another perfect day!