All of us at Osorno Volcano near Puerta Varas Chile...windy wet and cold!
Plan to travel to Chile 16 February - 11 March......visit with a second cousin on my father's side in Santiago then tour of the country and Easter Island.
29 February 2016 Monday - Torres del Paine Chile
An unusually clear day for our views of the mountains.....we were so lucky! Morning three hour hike from Lago Sarmiento to Lago Amarga where we saw heaps of guanaco (of the camel family) and spotted a few condor and caracara. We walked around Lago Amarga to view the flamingoes and then shorter hike in afternoon via the falls to Largo Nordenskjol.
28 February 2016 Sunday - Punta Arenas to Torres del Paine Chile
Morning drive to Puerto Natales where we met our guide Sergio and then drive into the park area. All of the roads in the park are gravel and just before we arrived at the hotel, we got a flat tire.....but our driver and guide changed it very quickly! Overnight at Hotel del Paine on Rio Serrano with beautiful views of the mountains.
27 February 2016 Saturday - Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas Chile
Flying to Patagonia to visit Torres del Paine...a wonderful three days with gorgeous weather for our hikes and views of the horns!
26 February 2016 Friday - Puerto Varas Chile
Tour of Isla Grande de Chiloe (known for its 400 varieties of potatoes).....we drove about one hour from Puerto Varas then took ferry across to Chacao where we visited the church and the local artesan market. We continued on to Castro where we viewed the stilt houses (palafitos) and the church at the main square and the fish market. We had lunch at Dalcahue and then roamed around the market there and visited the church.
The churches on the island are a unique Chilota architecture and sixteen are designated as UNESCO world heritage sites, made of native timber with extensive use of wood shingles.
I had curanto for lunch, traditional food that is cooked in a hole in the ground and consists of shellfish (clams, mussels, barnacles), meat, potatoes, milcao (potato pancake), chapaleles (potato dumpling), and vegetables....a new experience for me!
25 February 2016 Thursday - Puerto Varas Chile
Drove to Parque Nacional Vicente Perez Rosales for some hiking in the rain! After passing through the town of Ensenada, we hiked to Petrohue Falls and then around Lago Verde. We drove to the ski lodge at Osorno Volcano and then hiked up a bit for limited views of the lake....quite windy!
24 February 2016 Wednesday - San Pedro Atacama to Puerto Varas
Early morning drive (one hour) from San Pedro to Calama for flight to Puerto Montt via Santiago then short drive to Puerto Varas on Lake Llanquihue....a very busy town! Walkabout town then evening seafood meal at el patio de mi casa.
23 February 2016 Tuesday - San Pedro Atacama
A very long but wonderful day, with very early morning departure to view the sunrise at the el Tatio geysers then viewing of many critters (vicugna, viscacha, flamingoes and heaps of birds on the lakes) on our return to San Pedro.....afternoon for sunset at Lake Chaxa on the Salt Flats to view more flamingoes. The first rains marking the end of summer arrived this afternoon with heaps of thunder and lightning and new snow on the mountains.
21 February 2016 Sunday - Santiago to San Pedro Chile
We flew today to Calama in the north then drove to San Pedro to explore Atacama Desert. This is a very desolate area in the north but beautiful landscapes. We walked through the Valley of the Moon and then enjoyed a snack while watching the sunset.......stayed at Iorana Tolache hotel just outside of town.
20 February 2016 Saturday - Valparaiso Chile
Bus ride 120 kms from Santiago to the coastal city of Valparaiso for the day. We walked the many hills and viewed the colorful homes and artwork on the walls and took the funicular Conception that was built in 1883! Then to Vina del Mar for lunch and a walk by the ocean.....the waves have been so big that they have closed parts of the frontage walk. There is a music festival there this week with big name stars so many folks were hanging out at the Sheraton waiting to see who they could see.
19 February 2016 Friday - Santiago Chile
Start of my tour of the country of Chile which includes Atacama Desert, Osorno Volcano, Chiloe Island, Torres del Paine National Park and Easter Island. There are eleven of us in the group, from England, Scotland, Italy, Denmark and Dubai....two couples and the rest singles. We did walking tour of the city of Santiago today...quite warm here but dry. Our leader is Zuny and she is from Santiago.
18 February 2016 Thursday - Santiago Chile
My second cousin Margaret met me at the hotel then we took bus and train back to her home where I met seven of her nine children (two are in Texas) and we had a wonderful time viewing photos and notes of our family history and had a wonderful salad lunch! Then she and one of her daughters rode the transport back with me to my hotel.
17 February 2016 Wednesday - Santiago Chile
Beautiful day in Santiago......waiting for my hotel room so morning walk in the sunshine to the tourist office and then a mocha at a street cafe in the sunshine to people watch. Walked to the new Costanera Shopping Center for ride to the top (level 62) and views of the city and the Andes mountains....highest viewpoint in Latin America at 300 meters....and it just opened last year.
16 February 2016 Tuesday - Tampa Florida to Santiago Chile via Miami
Long flight to Chile where the timezone is two hours ahead of USA EST....arrive early on Wednesday morning.
14 February 2016 Sunday - Largo Florida
Happy Valentines Day!
13 February 2016 Saturday - Largo Florida
All day genealogy seminar at the Largo Library....enjoyed lunch break in the park watching the Chinese New Year celebration!
4 February 2016 Thursday - Largo Florida
Clouds are rolling in and rain is predicted so time to start packing for my travels.
1 February 2016 Monday - Largo Florida
The sun has returned so spent some time at the pool after morning workout at the Y!
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