"CHILE" Chile by swesn

Chile Travel Guide: 4,891 reviews and 13,536 photos

A lone penguin gazes into Patagonia - Chile

CHILE [1] 2003 >>

... +| Part of RTW 2002-2003 |+ ...

Turquoise lakes patrolled by guanacos
Savage wind tortures and tosses
Vertical peaks that tower over you
Enigmatic 'Horns', sculpted by nature forces

An island with wooden churches and palofitos
Good old fishermen haul in the day's catches
A climb up the volcano, blinded by whiteness
Confused by the snow, the clouds and the smoke it belches

Hissing and bubbling, the geysers awaken
In the distant salt lake, the flamingoes feast
Vicunas relish the freedom of the altiplano
Sparsely populated by Indians who chew coca leaves

... written by trisha

From ARGENTINA [1] 2002 ...

New Year's Eve 2002 at the southern-most town of Chile, Punta Arenas... seemed like a novelty except that the locals DO NOT CELEBRATE New Year's Eve in TOWN. They go to the country-sides.

We, a trickle of tourists, found ourselves wandering around town, wondering "Where's the party?" The town looked deader than dead.

When our 'New Year celebrations' began was dependent on when the corks of our respective champagne bottles popped out into the air. There were pathetic waves of 'FELIZ ANO NEUVO' (Happy New Year) called out at different times. We hopped up and down the square, trying to make as much noise as possible in this dead town.

If New Year's Eve and Day were a tad of a disappointment... being so SOUTH, I grabbed the chance to come up close and personal with PENGUINS! What a treat!

For more photos, please click :

PUNTA ARENAS

To ARGENTINA [2] 2003 ...

In Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

CHILE [2] 2003 >>

... +| Part of RTW 2002-2003 |+ ...

From ARGENTINA [2] 2003 ...

There were many physical challenges that I did on this leg of my Chile trip. I had thought them impossible to achieve. It made me aware how, if I set my mind to do certain things, they CAN be done.

I headed to Puerto Natales and prepared for the hike to Torres del Paine Nationa Park. I survived the hike and later, the climb up Villarrica volcano. Just barely, but I survived.

I received a brief insight in the lives of the locals in the quaint Chiloe island. Later, I met a Vina del Mar family vacationing in Villarrica and formed a solid friendship with them ever since.

Up north, the natural sights around San Pedro de Atacama are purely out-of-the-world, almost like walking on another planet. Parque Nacional Lauca near Arica brought me from sea-level to around 4,800+m above sea level of the magical 'altiplano' in 1 day.

For more photos, please click :

PUERTO NATALES

PUERTO MONTT

ISLA CHILOE

VILLARRICA

SANTIAGO

VALPARAISO

VINA DEL MAR

To ARGENTINA [3] 2003 ...

Bleak altiplano 'high plains'

CHILE [3] 2003 >>

... +| Part of RTW 2002-2003 |+ ...

From ARGENTINA [3] 2003 ...

From the very very cold (Southern Patagonia), to the very very hot (central Chile and Argentina), to the very very cold again (the altiplano), I had to alternate between temperature changes and high altitudes like a yo-yo throughout my stay.

The altiplano wonders of San Pedro de Atacama and Arica, especially the remote Parque Nacional Lauca, are truly enchanting.

For more photos, please click :

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA

ARICA

To PERU 2003 ...

Also, please travel with my articles at :

WHERE THE PENGUINS ROAM
( .. Ushuaia .. Punta Arenas .. Puerto Natales .. El Chalten .. El Calafate .. Puerto Natales .. )

(NEARLY) GONE WITH THE WIND
( .. Puerto Natales .. Torres del Paine .. To Puerto Montt .. )

TRISH VS. THE VOLCANO
( .. Castro .. Villarrica .. Santiago .. Vina del Mar .. )

RUN LLAMA RUN
( Cafayate .. Angastaco .. Cachi .. Salta .. San Pedro de Atacama .. Arica .. )

CHILE 2005 >>
... +| Part of SA 2005 |+ ...

Chile is truly wild nature! From the very very cold (Southern Patagonia), to the very very hot (central Chile and Argentina), to the very very cold again (the altiplano in northern Chile), I had to alternate between extreme temperature changes and high altitudes like a yo-yo throughout my stay in 2003.

In 2005, I returned briefly to Chile, stopped at La Serena and went to an observatory to study the craters of the moon. I also revisited my wonderful Vina del Mar family there.

10) IT'S CHILE HERE
( .. San Pedro de Atacama .. La Serena .. Vina del Mar .. Valparaiso .. )

Last visit to Chile: Dec 2005
Intro Updated Jan 12, 2008
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Reviews (49)

LA SERENA: DRIVE ALONG AV. DEL MAR Things to Do (22)

For the drive back from Coquimbo to La Serena, take the route along the Avenida del Mar. At first, I wondered why... more travel advice

SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA : SALAR DE ATACAMA Things to Do (22)

The Salar de Atacama is the third largest of salt flats in the world. It is a different kind of salt pan from Salinas... more travel advice

VINA DEL MAR : SEASIDE RESORT Things to Do (22)

The rich seaside town of Vina del Mar has the summer palace of the President of Chile, which is at Cerro Castillo. There... more travel advice

VALPARAISO : FORMER IMPORTANT SEA-PORT Things to Do (22)

Valparaiso was an important sea-port that has lost its glory. It used to be a developed trading base in the southern... more travel advice

Local Customs (7)
See All AFTERNOON-TEA OR 'ONCE'
Favorites (2)
See All READ BOOKS BY CHILEAN WRITERS
Transportation (2)
See All NAVIMAG CRUISE

Travelogues (1)

Written Aug 3, 2003

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CHILE

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Comments (10)

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hindu1936 Jun 23, 2008 at 8:09 AM

Thank you for tips Trisha. Penguins are my favorite people and one of the reasons for riding through Chile. keep up the good writing.
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barryg23 Nov 15, 2006 at 11:41 AM

Great tips on Chile. I must look up those books you recommend. Can't wait to hike the W, visit San Pedro de Atacama and see the rest of Chile. We're planning to spend a year travelling in South America and hope to spend a month or more in Chile.
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newcalifornia Oct 3, 2006 at 9:12 PM

liked your comments. I want to live there next year.Vina looks like the right choice.where do sea view homes start price wise?Please reply to member :newcalifornia. Thank you.
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fossettes Feb 1, 2006 at 7:51 PM

Great page! Will be heading to Chile in April and your suggestions and insights will really help!
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joks Jun 5, 2004 at 3:00 PM

hey trish, was browsing through your chilean pages and i really missed the time when i eagerly await your new travelogue from boots n all. beautiful country aint it! One day one day...
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ellys Jul 25, 2003 at 2:28 PM

Splendid page! I love the Chilean wine
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Sharrie Jun 11, 2003 at 9:06 AM

5*!!!
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titti Jun 10, 2003 at 5:41 AM

"oxygen masks to resuscitate any dying tourists" ... I wonder if we had one :-) Great page.
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Kristina1701 Jun 10, 2003 at 1:40 AM

excellent page, hope to visit chile too one day
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galy Jun 10, 2003 at 12:52 AM

Trihsa, Thanks for the good information. I still couldn't decide if we'll visit the Island of Chiloe or not. I guess I have to check your page :-))