CHILOÉ: home of Mapuche's folklore, cuisine and architecture

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Chilo'e island is the main island in the Chiloé's archipielago south of Puerto Montt. It is Chile's second largest island after Tierra del Fuego with a length of 190 km and a width of 65 km approximately.

Nowadays Chiloé is easily accesible with a 45min ferry crossing the Chacao channel, but this was not always so and was once described as “a distinct enclave, linked more to the sea than the continent" with its own folklore and mythology. All these plus its nice landscape, known cuisine and friendly habitants made it an interesting place to visit for me.

The weather in Chiloé is marked by the west blowing wind coming from the Pacific ocean creating a humid, cold climate. The calm and more protected waters of the east coast of the island have caused most fishing and salmon farming activities to settle in this area.

The bus trip from Puerto Varas passed by Puerto Montt and continued to Chacao to the ferry. The ferryboats are not very big but closed due to the rought sea they sometimes need to deal with.

The architecture in the island is quite special and colorful. Wood has been and still is the main material for house construction.

Even Castro´s cathedral, Chiloe's main church building is quite colorfull and made of wood. It is a UNESCO World Heritige site.

Chiloe has also its own mythology. Here a statue of Pincoya, the sea princess said to have long golden hair, be of incomparable beauty, be cheerful and sensual, and rise from the depths of the sea.

Another expression of Chiloé's architecture are the palafito houses built at the shore side. Here a photo by low tide.

Low tide is used by fishermen to do smething called "marisquear": to dig in the sea bed at search the sand for mussel and clams.

Best example of Chiloe's food is the Curanto, a rich dish made of seafood, smoked meat, sausage and potate. Another one if grilled lamb.

Ancud is Chiloé's second city. It is located in the north of the island. One of its main attractions are the remaining of the powerfull spanish forts that were the last to fall during the independece war.

My excursion in Chiloé ended with the ferry back to mainland. During this trip we could see the near 150km away Osorno volcano, something I couldn't see from the 20km away Puerto Varas due to fog and rain.

Black neck schwans swiming on salt water.