Left Aluminé after a leisurely breakfast, driving slowly up to Villa Pehuenia. The name comes from the Mapudungdun word ‘pehuén’, denoting the araucaria (monkey-puzzle) tree. As I got closer to Villa Penuenia these were increasingly in evidence.

The seeds of the pehuén tree. known as ‘piñones’, are a staple food for the indigenous people of the area, who grind them into flour and use it to make many food forms.

It was a very short and relaxing day’s driving, also taking in a side trip to Moquehué, a small town som twenty km from Pehuenia. Lots of lakes around here, and the tourist season just beginning to wake up.

Tomorrow I cross into Chile, through a new pass (Icalma, a crossing that I don’t know). I’ll be aiming for Temuco, a big city and quite a change after these idyllic little settlements.