A picture, though worth a thousand words, can never fully capture its subject, or the feelings that go along with it. But I hope these images give some sense of the beauty and grandeur of Chilean Patagonia, through which the Carretera Austral passes.
Waiting in Puerto Montt for the ferry. 
I took the overnight ferry from Puerto Montt to Chaiten, to begin a bit further south. 
Approaching Chaiten and the start of my ride. 
I was amazed by the number of cyclists. And very impressed given the mountains! 
If there’s a motorcycle heaven, it looks a lot like this. 
The black sand beach at Santa Barabara. 
My hostel room in Puerto Rio Tranquillo. 
Generally safety standards are pretty high in Chile, but OMG, can you say “trench rescue”?! 
Back to Puerto Montt – the ferry at Caleta Gonzalo. 
The Carretera is still a work in progress. 
Nothing worse than wounded pride and a small dent.
Spectacular!
Looks like an awesome ride!!! Great Pix! 🙂
Beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing with us!!! We truly inhabit a special planet full of unique features to wondered at. We are blessed with the opportunity to be a part of and share it with each other.
Stay safe and keep making great memories!!!
Love it !
Beautiful photos. I see what you mean about the roses!
Very glad your wipeout was minor and injured only the pannier.
Thanks so much for sharing your South American experience with us armchair travellers.
I would hardly call you an armchair traveller! The flowers here, wild and semi-cultivated are extraordinary. Spring in southern Chile is a riot of colour – yellow acacia bushes, pink wild roses, lupens of all shades, foxglove, irises, and dozens more I don’t even recognize.
Anyway, I’m glad you’re enjoying my ramblings.