A dam fine post! (yes, we share a love of bad puns) Really would love to visit Chile, the fjords seem like a southern-hemisphere parallel of ours in British Columbia: totally different, but familiar enough to make for a bizarre experience. Great news that the dams were put off, wish we could see more of that in other parts of the world, including our home. Thanks for the post!
A dam fine country--you punners! Chile is really quite wonderful and probably as chilly (sorry) as your winter fiords. In the past several months, a friend video taped a dam in Oregon being destroyed. It was a powerful sight and now the fish are free. I'm with you and hope this trend continues.
Thanks, Trace! As you know, my Spanish is only ok, so thank goodness people down here are indulgent. Thanks for the kind words on the photos from cloudy Patagonia.
The Patagonia sin Represas Campaign Rio Baker and Rio Pascua were due to have 5 dams built. Are the 3 you mention on those rivers? The Patagonia sin Represas Campaign is well represented but I don't know if it has got anywhere in preserving these pristine areas.
A dam successful movement! The US group, International Rivers, has been working with Patagonia Sin Represas, where I spoke, and other groups and a couple of weeks ago, succeeded in having the Chilean government overthrow the environmental report on these 5 dams. Power to the people!
Rabble rousing! The dams were a big issue when I was down there a few years back. There was a sad inevitability about it all even then...even with the ultra-rich North American republican fly-fisher-contingent. Those rivers were by far the purest I've seen anywhere in the world. Still, if they're not now working out we can always 'remove' them. Mother Nature has amazing powers of recovery if given a little helping hand!
Dam good news! I just learned that five new super-dams, part of the HidroAysén project, were just cancelled by Chile due in part to protests by Chilean and international environmental groups and partly because they were shown to not be cost effective. In the US, we've been dismantling dams, but it's a major (and spectacular) undertaking, more than guerrilla eco-warriors could manage. How great that environmentalists are winning in Patagonia!
An animal lover We are animal lovers and when we were in Peru it was a struggle for me. I wanted to scoop up all the dogs, give them a bath and a meal. They are not treated as pets like here in the U.S. and it was tough seeing so many of them in bad shape. Of course we have our issues in this country also.
Pups abroad Yes, it is heartbreaking, but so far, all the street dogs I've seen in my years down here have been sweet and pretty well fed, but they all want forever homes. I just give them lots of pets and love.
Wow Hi Tara,
Thanks for your comment on our blog. It brought us here and we've been cruising your beautifuly written posts and amazing photographs. This post especially had us both on the edge of our seats and the video freaked me out! What an adventure. We'll be following along on the rest of your journey. We aspire to your way of traveling and hope to pick up some pointers along the way. Meanwhile, we wish you much more adventure!
Thanks Roberta and Matt! Glad you're enjoying my Patagonian adventures, and yes, that Navimag ride was wild. The weather certainly was a contrast to your hot, Southeast Asia. How great that you rented a house for a month--rather like the slow way I travel. My camera was just stolen, so I'm hanging out in Peru, waiting for another and hopefully will catch up on blogs. Glad to know you and happy travels!
Lovely Patagonia I am a Travelblog buff. I have read several blogs on Patagonia. I must say that your's were the Best ! Autumn colors are unimaginable too. Thank you very much madam.
Thank you, Bharat! It was so nice of you to let me know you enjoyed my blog. Thank you so much! Patagonia is a magical place--I hope you get to go someday!
Perfect snow cone.. Yes. David, I just couldn't miss Osorno! All up and down Chile, I've seen tons of volcanoes, but this was the most classic. For the last four years, I've been dipping in and out of that great country, and will soon visit again--hope you get to see more of it!
We slow travelers can wait for a sunny day for volcano viewing I say it yet again...lucky you. Pleased you are sharing some of these locales in Chile. I've only visited three areas of Chile and that made me determined to return...as you well know it is an amazingly diverse country.
Waiting for the volcano Yes, I was so lucky to be able to stay for that incredible view! And it was lovely having a place to our/myself for a bit though I'd soon be back in dorms though pretty empty ones in the low season. If you love water, you'd adore the lake districts in both Chile and Argentina. I just couldn't leave. I stayed over a year and a half, and still fantasize living there.
We'll have to walk down a trail together sometime... A rug, wine and cheese--well, you know how to walk a trail! I probably just had nuts and an apple in my pocket. On writing of so long ago, it's absurd that I didn't write this up sooner. I generally have notes and photos, but just don't do the deed. I so admire the way you write as you go--you're my inspiration!
You must have a superb memory.... ...or be super organised with notes and photos to write about places and events three years later. I wish we could walk down that trail in parque philippe right now - it looks so inviting! I'm also picturing a rug, and some cheese and wine :)
Waiting for a sunny day When you have the time you might as well hang out until you see what you've come to see. Excellent. I'm glad you had a break from the dorms. I love being near the water.
What a compliment! Nina and Markus, that is such a lovely compliment! I'm never sure if I include too much history, but I'm so glad you liked it. I do hope you get down to the fabulous lake district to visit the beautiful towns those German settlers created. I'd like to read these novels someday--thanks.
Like in a novel I have to confess I have read a lot of novels of the first settlers in Chile. Your trip and especially the wonderful pictures let these novel come alive. Wonderful!
Ah, nostalgia... Glad you're able to enjoy a Remembrance of Things Past through our blogs. There will always be a bit of regret at not recording/sharing those wondrous adventures from before our TB days (or before a broken laptop carries away our memories). How great that you, like us now, can relive a taste of spectacular Patagonia.
I´m a one-way ticket, slow traveler, relishing the freedom of the open road and trusting serendipity to guide my journey. When I was younger, I used to travel for a year at a time. Then a few years ago, I roamed Europe and North Africa for three and a half years and liked that even better.
On August 1st, 2010, I left my peaceful Mission Canyon paradise in Santa Barbara's mellow summer and emerged from a couple of planes a day and a world later in the teeming, sub-zero streets of Buenos Aires´winter. Now, with the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos between here and home, will three years be enou... full info
Matt and Roberta
Roberta Cenedese
A dam fine post! (yes, we share a love of bad puns)
Really would love to visit Chile, the fjords seem like a southern-hemisphere parallel of ours in British Columbia: totally different, but familiar enough to make for a bizarre experience. Great news that the dams were put off, wish we could see more of that in other parts of the world, including our home. Thanks for the post!