Two views, one town

Last Saturday, the last day of April, was yet another gorgeous sunny day, so Mike and Gabi hopped on a bus and went to Queilen. Queilen is a little town southeast of Chonchi along the inland coast, but south of the archipelago, so you get a nearly uninterrupted view across the sound to the cordillera. Lisa and Bert had been there last summer and were unimpressed; but Mike and Gabi thought it was pretty nice.The road out there goes through the more forested and hilly southern part of the island. When we crested a rise, we got a glimpse of snow-capped volcanoes beyond the next ridge.



We went first to the waterfront and saw the municipal pier and the long beach that arcs across the harbor.












On a hunch, we walked out toward the point; and on the other side was an even better beach with stunning views every way you looked. There were some beach sculptures and a salmon farm just off the beach. While we were there, a ship came by towing a floating house for another salmon farm (see top photo).








After feasting our eyes and playing on
the beach for a few minutes (it was windy and rather cold),





we headed back into town. The town has some nice houses and a little church on the well-groomed town square.





A few more minutes to play at the playground, and it was time to grab a snack and head back to the bus. That's when we found out what other people don't like about Queilen: They roll up the sidewalks at 1:00 for lunch. It's a sleepy place during the lunch break!