Argentina
November 6-29, 2009
November 22: Parque Nacional Lanin - Lago Lacar and the Condor Roost: Area Yuco
By about 10 in the morning we were all getting hungry already and so when we saw a sign for a picnic area we decided to check it out. It turns out that this was the place mentioned on the web for its beautiful sandy beaches. Yuco means “a place away from everything” in the Mapuche tongue, and it is indeed one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on Lake Lácar, with rocks sticking out of the water, crystal-clear waters and a leafy forest made up by raulíes, coihues and myrtle trees, all of them typical of the Valdivian rainforest.
By now the sky was pretty overcast and between the weather and the warning signs about the frigid waters there was no thought of going swimming. But we did have a nice picnic and took some time to explore the shore. And not knowing whether we'd even be able to see the thermal springs later on today, we decided not to rush on but to let the kids have some time to play by the water.
The Yuca picnic area in Lanin National Park.
Area Yuca - a picnic area with 4 little beaches along Lago Lacar.
Beautiful flowers. The purple ones are called "Laura".
Not your typical holiday beach... the sign says "Danger - Cold and Deep Waters".
Beautiful view across Lago Lacar.
Christopher's opinion? We should definitely have a picnic here!
The kids test the waters... apparently the sign was right about the frigid waters!
A southern lapwing on a rocky island.
We have the place to ourselves!
Monkeys having a banana snack.
Some birds come to say hola.
The kids finish off the "fries" while Rubby finishes the lomo doritos
The beautiful cinnamon coloured branches of the myrtle trees.
Ploumps!
A beautiful white flower (an iris of some sort?)
Beautiful reflections in the absolutely calm waters of Lago Lacar.
Of course the kids had fun "fishing", playing ploumps and finding out "does it sink or swim".
Christopher is having fun.
The waters were also crystal clear so you could see all the rocks under the water.
The rocky arm that reached out into the lake.
Rubby watched the kids as they continued to play along the beach.
View from the rocky outcrop back to the beach.
More rocky lapwings hanging out on the rocks.
The beautiful shoreline.
Twisty myrtle tree branches.
Flowers on a tree.
The kids could have played here all day.
Christopher with his fishing stick.
The amazing reach of the tree roots across the rocky outcrops.
The kids found a nice little perch for themselves.
Another great place to play.
The view.
More ploumpsing.
Chilean firebush (notro) - it's easy to see how it got its name!
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