Blogs from Antofagasta Region, Chile, South America - page 49

Strange spending so much time so high, altitudinaly that is, when the highest real estate in Oz, Mt. Kosiusko, is only 2,200 metres or so (I think) and here in San Pedro de Atacama it’s already 2,440 and everywhere else around here is higher. Breathing is always a little laboured but with a mouthful of coca it gets easier! Did a few look-arounds of San Pedro, they really draw a long bow with some of the “famous” features, crikey, but the general scenery is soo fantastic that you can overlook the overblown toury spots general shortcomings. Valley of the Dead, Dry Lake, Green Lake…and, in the Valley of the Moon, the Turtle’s Head that iconic, Incan outcrop, dedicated to the god of constipation. While we’re there, much as the Valley of the Moon was modestly awesome, ... read more

Well I´m now in Antofagasta, making a sort of detour from my vague original plan. I crossed the salars of southern Bolivia into Chile, albiet after doing my wildlife caring thing. Now I´m likely to be heading a little further south to Viña del Mar and Valparaiso on the Chilean coast, then over to Mendoza, Argentina for some good old fashioned hard work on an organic fruit farm. Lots of photos to upload, since my last post with photos was a while ago.... read more

San Pedro de Atacama, hot spot for the driest desert in the world. I arrived in the morning of January 29, and was fortunate enough to meet up with three great people. First, I met an American couple, Chris and Jess, who are professional climbers here in South America for three months, climbing rock and ice. Maniacs. But very cool. We then met up with Rachel, an English astronomer (she hates when I tell people) who has been working in La Serena, Chile, but is moving to Hawaii this coming Tuesday. I don´t think I mentioned Rachel before, but I had seen her twice. When I was on my two day tour to NP Lauca, I saw her riding her bike through the mountains with the intention of crossing into Bolivia. Turned out the altitide and ... read more

What a different day to the previous one - gorgeous blue sky and sunshine! Salta has great nightlife, so having had a cocktail or 2 the previous night (when they are only just over 1 pound each, how could we not?!) it was time to take it easy today. Had a leisurely lunch in the main square (this one is not called Plaza de Armas for a change, but instead the "9 de Julio" square, ie. 9th of July square. Argentina´s independence day...) Then went up to the top of San Bernadino hill by cable car - fab views! Didn´t paraglide down as the tour operator didn´t have any spaces left! Off to Chile next, and the most tedious border crossing ever.... the truck was searched inside and out, they even opened the fuel tank for ... read more

6°jour Les Tallon partent pour le tour del Tatio, geysers et piscines naturelles absolument superbes mais avec un prix à payer, lever à 4 h du matin car les geysers ne fonctionnent vraiment que juste avant le lever du soleil, et ce sont au moins 3 heures de route… Nous restons sur San Pedro, lever un peu plus tardif qu’eux, nous partons en milieu de matinée vers le musée du Père Le Paige, missionnaire belge amoureux des cultures amérindiennes. Le musée est vraiment fantastique. Sa conception en étoile donne un espace intéressant et il y a des pièces très jolies comme l’orfèvrerie indienne, ou très impressionnantes comme ces momies conservées dans un endroit tellement sec que même les yeux sont encore là, séchés dans leurs orbites (Miam !) L’après-midi sera un peu plus sportif. Nous nous ... read more