Colour & Culture- Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Isla Negra

South America » Chile » Valparaíso Region
September 30th 2013

Published: November 6th 2013

After more than a week in the capital, I headed to the coast and the colourful harbour city of Valparaiso, enclave of artists, poets , students and migrants from everywhere imaginable. Originally inhabited by local Chango people who were mainly fishermen, Spanish exploration in the mid-16th Century led to it developing into the main harbour for the Chilean Navy and also opened it to international... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 76, Displayed: 21

Comment Follow (3) Message

Susan Storr

Sue Treadie

This blog was started in 2006 when I embarked on a new life adventure teaching English in China. It was a wonderful, enriching and enlightening experience. Many of you came on this journey with me. For those of you who are searching for more meaning and satisfaction in your life and feel that teaching languages overseas might fit the bill, I enthusiastically encourage you to take up the challenge as I did nine years ago. You will never regret it. In fact you will probably say "Why didn't I do this years ago?" I then began a journal of my journey home to Australia- the long way round! U... full info

Blog Options

Top Photos Blog Map

Print Version

[blog=813563]

[blogger=19423]

Improbable architecture

It never failed to amaze me how buidings were built on the most unlikely sites imaginable!

Lunch with a view

Tasty organic lunch! Yum!

Feeling safe?

Signs like these seem to dot the coastline north to Vina del Mar! I didn't realize this area was prone to tsunamis!

Abandoned haven for sea creatures

Along the way, I observed heaps of sea birds and a whole bunch of sea lions just hanging around. They must have to wait for high tide to get on or off!!!

Having a snooze

Close up

Pelicans

I love pelicans. Here's a limerick by Edward Lear from my childhood. Do you remember it? I think of it every time I see one. Brings a smile to my dial wherever I am. A wonderful bird is the Pelican. His beak can hold more than his belly can. He can hold in his beak Enough food for a week! But I'll be darned if I know how the hellican? Source: The Pelican by Edward Lear - Limericks

I think I can!

I watched an adolescent sea lion pup trying his best to "get aboard" for 10-15 minutes. He was so persistent! However, he had to give up in the end. A case of "bad timing", me thinks!!

Homeless Dogs

As mentioned in my Santiago blog- Chile is full of homeless dogs. So sad.....

Sea bird roosting

A bit of a stiff breeze!

A smaller variety

Can't remember the name of this one. A bit like an Oystercatcher. Anyone help me out?

Local Fresh Seafood

Looked like a wholesale place. A lot of it I didn't even recognize!!

All in a row

More pelicans

Big boy!

He really was a beauty! About 1m high or so!

Almost in Vina del Mar

Wulff Castle

Bought by a wealthy German businessman in the early 1900s, he had it rebuilt over the next few years. Delusions of grandeur, perhaps! Great views of the Pacific on a good day, I imagine.

A little piece of home?

Wandering around the streets of Vina del Mar, I came across this little corner shop/bottle shop. The proprietor was completely puzzled when I pointed out the connection?? See next pic...

Yo soy Australiana

I know my Spanish is bad, but how could he not get the connection?

Main cathedral

Floral Clock

It actually works! Time to head back!

Casa de Isla Negra- House at Black Island

The third and favourite of Neruda's residences where he spent much of his later life. He named the area himself after the black rocks he saw off shore.

Another view

As with his other residences, this house grew organically as time went on. An intriguing place to explore. Everything was built to give the illusion of being on a ship eg the low ceilings, narrow rooms

6th November 2013

Gail
non-member comment

Photos
Love the photos Sue, Im travelling with you vicariously

6th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

More spectacular to come!
The desert areas in the North of Chile & Argentina are amazing. Soon, really soon!!

7th November 2013

Anne Wasley (Wally)
non-member comment

Great photos!
Hi Treadie, Very colourful city! Enjoying reading your adventures as life here is still the same! Looking forward to your next travel blog. On On Wally

7th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Heh Wal!
Another one ready to publish, but keeping it under wraps for a day or two. Don't want to overload you all! ;)

7th November 2013

Eddie Chung Gon
non-member comment

Only some special girls are able to true adventurers !
Sue I'm jealous of your spirit , energy and all your adventures.... first rate photo upload skills too . Eddie 'Kuntfoo' Kunming , Yunnan

7th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Heh Eddie!
Thanks for the kind words!!

7th November 2013

Carol
non-member comment

Hi Sue, your blogs are so full of info. Thanks for sharing

7th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Hi again, Carol!
It's taken me a while to get started, but on a roll now!! Glad you're enjoying them.

7th November 2013

Carol
non-member comment

Love the mosaics!

7th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Hi Carol!
Me too!

9th November 2013

bvchef
Brendan Vermillion

Great Pictures
I am heading down to Chile and Bolivia in March, so am reading some blogs from places I want to see. You have some great pictures and I enjoyed reading your blog. Have a great trip. I look forward to seeing more of your blogs.

12th November 2013

Sue Treadie
Susan Storr

Hola Brendan!
Great that you're enjoying my blog. I'm hoping to be a little more prolific, as I'm more than a month behind my real time travels!! Having too much fun!! Arrived on Chiloe Island late yesterday and from what I've seen here so far- I'd definitely recommend a visit, should time permit. A later blog........

Tot: 0.071s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 15; qc: 27; dbt: 0.0282s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Susan Storr (Sue Treadie) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.

Colour & Culture- Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Isla Negra

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved