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Published: September 16th 2008
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A Large Statue!
A random statue??? Only joking! Fantastic shopping, modern cities, friendly people, romantic paradise, beautiful landscapes, new travel companions, and lost in translation are the few words I can use to describe my introduction to the wonderful country of Chile.
The capital of Chile, Santiago is nothing how I imagined. Its a shoppers paradise with the latest designer cloths outlets, massive shopping malls and quaint cafe´s lining the narrow streets. While the Gondola provides spectacular views of the city and the snow covered Andes, you can easily lose your time wondering the maze of streets and hectic markets looking for the next bargain. Its incredibly easy to get around the city, with one of the most efficient subway systems I have ever had the privilege of riding. I love this city and its people. Santiago is such a cool place to hang out for a week or so.
After a week in Santiago, I began to make new friends and decided to head north with them through the Atacama desert and towards Bolivia. We all jumped on board the Pachamama big brother fun bus and began one of the best adventures with the most awesome crew I have ever had the privilege of travelling with.
Dolphins - Awww
Pinguino De Humboldt National Reserve There was 14 of us in total, the group hit it off from the start as we began our journey north. Luckily many of them were heading into Bolivia and up towards Columbia, allowing me to meet a few new travel companions so I am not alone while travelling the dodgy countries of South America.
On the way to the city of La Sarena we visited Pichidangui. I spent some time wondering around this summer beach resort and visiting the local fishing port. Massive Pelicans swooped over head while trying to steal fish from the agitated fisherman. It was quite a sight watching the fishermen battle with the pelicans. I never realised how large these birds are!
La Sarena was much larger than I expected. Its a massive city with a spectacularly long beach front. The streets were narrow and winding, making it easy to get lost. It had fantastic night life together with a very curious mix of people (The girls out number the lads in every bar - how strange!).
Heading towards Bahia Inglesa we decided to visit Pinguino De Humboldt National Reserve. We hired a boat and cruised between Isla Dams and Isla Cross.
What A Poser
Pinguino De Humboldt National Reserve The wildlife in the area was spectacular. We had twenty or so dolphins swimming along side our small motorised boat, together with sea lions and penguins sun bathing on the rocky shores. While fish swam around in the crystal clear sea, we watched hawks dive into the sea picking them off one by one.
The beaches of Isla Damas were stunning. We anchored up the boat and had a picnic on the beach. Everyone chilled out and we eventually set off to explore this paradise island. We all had a great time messing around on the beach before heading back to the mainland to continue our journey north.
We spent two nights staying in beach bungalows in Bahia Inglesa. I shared a bungalow with the boys (Fabio, Stan, Ryan and myself). I had the awesome attic room! Since we were lads together, our bungalow became the party destination for the rest of the group. I didn't sleep for two days, each evening we had a barbecue and partied the night away. I did my fire Juggling while Ryan played the guitar... It was like we had joined some bohemian hippy community, it was such an awesome adventure, everyone
I See Dead People!
Random grave yard in the middle of the desert.. Spooky!! had a fantastic time.
Heading towards Antofagasta involved crossing the driest part of the Atacama Desert where some meteorological stations have never registered any rain in over 50 years. On the way we stopped in the old cemetery of Oficina Alemania which is randomly located in the middle of the desert. It was slightly freaky wondering around a thousand or so makeshift graves in the middle of the desert. It truly was an unusual sight. Some of the graves were made out of rubbish or bits of wood. It was incredibly spooky!
Heading further north across the desert we came across Mano Del Desierto, also known as the hand of the desert. Its a large piece of modern art randomly located in the middle of the desert. We stopped briefly to admire this bizarre piece of pointless art before continuing to head north through the desert and towards Antofagasta.
The big brother challenge in Antofagasta was to go shopping for the group. We all made our way to the local supermarket and bought food for 14 people. Its challenging trying to buy so much food for a group of people while dealing with everyone in Spanish. Sometimes
Me & My Girls
La Portada Cliffs I do feel slightly dizzy trying to understand the Spanish language, but I am learning incredibly quickly, besides I have no choice!
Heading north from Antofagasta was the most action packed day. We visited the La Portada Cliffs which were rock formations identical to that of the Great Ocean Road in Australia. We next visited lots of old trains that have been dumped in the middle of the desert (train cemetery). We passed the tropic of Capricorn before reaching the Atacama Salt Flats.
We crossed the Atacama Salt Flats on a road made out of the same salt that covers the dry lake while admiring the strange hexagonal shaped salt formations. After visiting the Salt Flats we finally arrived at the old city of Peine 2400 metres above sea level. I spent some time with the lads wondering around the remains of the first church built in Chile which was abandoned in 1650 for unknown reasons.
While exploring the remains of the church someone in our group accidentally discarded a cigarette. Within moments a full scale bush fire started, wiping out lots of land. The local tribes people came to try and put out the fire. There
Me & The Boyz
Tropic Of Capricorn was nothing anyone could do. It was incredibly destructive! We left ASAP once alerting the local authorities!
We next arrived at Laguna Chaxa and visited the Natural Reserve Los Flamencos where we witnessed thousands of Pink Flamingo´s flying around the salt lakes against a volcanic backdrop. Eventually we arrived in the the desert town of San Pedro De Atacama
From San Pedro De Atacama we visited the salt caves and then the stunning Moon Valley. The terrain at the Moon Valley is amazing. I wondered around climbing the mountains and taking in the views.
The Pachomama trip through the Atacama Desert was more about the people on the trip than the sights we visited. For most, it was a good way of meeting travel companions for the rest of the journey through South America. Get 14 backpackers and expect there to be some parties, together with a strange blend of adventure and madness.
Heading to Bolivia next....
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