Coihaique is the capital of Chilean Aysen Region in Patagonia. Surrounded by high mountains, with only 40 000 inhabitants makes a feeling of the last real town before the frontier. Simpson River goes below the settlement heading to the 88 kms-far fiord. There are rapids and waterfalls on its tributaries.
From the little bridge on Simpson River you can see the big rock called Piedra del Indio – It has a profile of an Indian. I was climbing back to the hill above Piedra – there is a nice view point overlooking the river, I found the place and… taking the pictures I was unexpectedly bitten by the agressive dog. In Chile there are herd of such homeless dogs and they do nothing. Shame on you, Chile!
What should I do? Go to the doctor or to the police? Fortunately my jeans were enough thick and strong to protect my body. Large hamatoma remained…
Little bus goes from the center of the town to Aysen. I took it for 1200 pesos to disembark at Salto Virgen – two-tier waterfall (lower about 12 m, upper some 15 m) Nice place! Then, walking back to Koi-aike I saw the rapids on Simpson River and Velo de la Novia fall. Hitchhiking seems not to be popular in Aysen Region: 40 cars passed by in half an hour and did not stop. No 41 did – gracias, amigo! And shame on the other drivers!
