Blogs from Pisco Elqui, Coquimbo Region, Chile, South America - page 2

Advertisement

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui April 10th 2012

I am writing this entry 2800 metres above sea level high in the Andes. The sky is as blue as I have ever seen it and the mountains are every shade of white yellow red orange brown and purple that you can imagine.It is truly one of the most amazing experiences. It is so hard to describe what I can see, but I will try and paint the picture. I am sat by a bubbling river that is golden yellow from the mineral deposits. I have just bathed in a natural hot thermal bath. In front of me is a mountain 6000 metres high and the border with Argentina. Behind is the steep valley I have just spent an hour trekking to get here and beyond that the Chile border. I am in 'No Mans Land'.The ... read more
sitting
stalactite
blue sky

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui April 6th 2012

Good Friday was drawing to a close and under a cloudless sky a full moon was to rise from behind the mountains. Decided to grab a bit to eat and visit the off licence for a bottle of wine to drink with some friends around the pool. Going to have an early night as tomorrow have to be up early as going to the thermals. On the way out bump into Paul, who works at the hostel. From Barcelona, he is a very friendly guy, long black hair with a piercing through the bridge of his nose. He informs me that at the bar I call 'The Fire Bar', but is actually called El Rustica, some live traditional music will be playing tonight. He will be there watching. "Sounds good. See you there". Meet Anita and ... read more
I am not the messiah
You are #ing nicked
Chilean beat combo

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui April 5th 2012

I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. The dreaded travellers tummy. Looking back I had been quite lucky really. Normally I pick up some sort of bug within about two weeks of being in a new country. Vietnam was around two weeks in. I was playing pool one night with my travelling buddy Kuba, a really cool Polish fella, and who is soon to be a dad for the first time next week. So feelling a bit squiffy, I retired early from pool back to the hostel. Some minor vomiting in the night and a touch of the squits. Nothing much to write home about and all run of the mill for a traveller in foreign climbs. I had a necessary pills in my first aid kit and by mid- morning the next day ... read more
the pool
a rude lemon

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui April 3rd 2012

So, I have returned to Pisco Elqui as I like it here.got up early today to see the sunrise over the Andes. Sat with a coffee and fag as it slowly presents itself. From darkness to light. Wonderful.Peaceful. All is good with the world. My credit cards are somewhere over the Atlantic en route to me. Some random thoughts about Chile before I explain how I fell into a cactus. Chile. A country the Shape of a chili. I am warm under the sun and so not chilly. Dominated by the Andes, making it hilly. Trying to speak Spanish, sounding silly. Jose-pinto my Chiloe horse, a colt not a filly, Me mucho gusto Chile. Oh, and Chile also rhymes with willy. So, how did I manage to fall into a cuctus? I suppose if I was ... read more
cactus issues
Cactus issues

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui March 28th 2012

So, wandering around the lovely village happen across a horse riding tour for that afternoon. 4 hours up in the high Andes. The saleswoman showed me photos of what I would be up to, trek through the mountains, traverse rivers, amazing views. The package looked good and for £25 quid I was in. So duly at the appointed hour arrived and met my fellow cowboys for the afternoon. Those of you following my adventure know that nothing ever goes to plan and so before I begin my tale a few introductions of my fellow riders are in order: Andres, an American engineer now residing in Santiago.From Chilean heritage he grew up in Florida. As tall as me and I guess the same build. With Andres was his delightful and very attractive chilean girlfriend Claudia, a critical ... read more
The mighty Rio
horseing around

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui March 27th 2012

Book I am reading. Alex Cross's Trail by James Patterson. A true story about the events of lynching in the deep south and one mans campaign against it. Compelling and tearful reading. . I am writing this sat under a cloudless sky by a hostel swimming pool. It is 8.45am. All around there are the mountains of the Andes, in every conceivable shade of brown. The green of the garden in which I am sat is a stark contrast reminding me that I am between the desert of the north and the fertile soil of the south. It is very peaceful with only the sound of a cockerel breaking the silence as he welcomes a new day. Yesterday I finally managed to speak to a manager at my bank. My cards have now been cancelled again ... read more
the moon

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui January 11th 2012

Hi all, This is my last day in Pisco Elqui, a beautiful little town in the mountains which I have completely fallen in love with. I´ve spent about 5 days here so I´ll just give you the highlights. On the bus from La Serena I met a guy from Italy who has been here 5 times in his life as he loves it that much (so that might give an idea of how enchanting this place is!) We spent most of the day just taking in the views of the plaza and the mountains, and went to a little restaurant to have some empanadas - so yummy! The following day I bumped into some guys from Argentina and we went to a pisco distillery in the town. The entire tour was in Spanish but luckily they ... read more
Distillery
 Rio Magico
Me by a River in Horcon

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui April 17th 2011

It was supposed to be different, but in the end it was alright anyway! After Santiago, we ended up spending just a couple of days in Pisco Elqui. As the name suggests it is famous for its Pisco production and distilleries - Pisco being a (tasty) Chilean grape brandy. The town is also known for its clearest skies and spectacular nights with millions of stars. Unfortunately for us it was too cloudy to see the best of the night sky while we stayed there, but of course on the day we left it was cloudless! Oh well. We still enjoyed our time seeing the pretty town, the distillery, and sampling some of the local produce. We even had a home cooked meal at some random house close to our hostel. As things turned out, we left ... read more
Church Plaza
Homemade Cooking
Pisco Distillery

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui January 30th 2011

Geo: -30.0715, -70.4677We're told they ran screaming from the beach, scared of tsunamis. They said it was scary in the city too, but worse by the ocean as it was centered only a few miles off shore.But we were miles away.After three weeks in La Serena we were ready to bust outta town so we hopped a bus to the much touted Elqui valley east of here and totally missed the earthquake. Dang it.Anyway, it was a multi-stop ticket so we could get off and on as we wanted...in theory anyway.To picture how dramatic the valley is, picture the mountains as a cake. Then cut out a very narrow slice and put in it's place a few vineyards clinging to the slopes and a string of small pueblos.That's the Elqui. Well actually, that would be a ... read more
Cacoa, Fruit of the Cactus
Adults Only, a Shot of Pisco
Bedframe Ladder

South America » Chile » Coquimbo Region » Pisco Elqui December 23rd 2010

Après une nuit de bus depuis Mendoza, où on sera passés à Santiago, puis remontés le long de la cote jusqu'à La Serena, on prend un petit bus pour rejoindre Pisco Elqui, au fond de la Vallée de Elqui. La ville est célèbre pour sa production de la liqueur du même nom, le Pisco, et la Vallée pour ses paysages diurnes, mais aussi nocturnes. En effet, le ciel étant très clair, les nuits sont très étoilées. En arrivant on part visiter une fabrique de Pisco. Le Pisco est produit à partir de vin distillé, qui sort de l'alambic à près de 80°C puis est dilué pour atteindre 35-45 ou 55°. Le Pisco se boit un peu comme du whisky: seul, avec une boisson gazeuse ou avec du jus de fruit, mais c'est surtout le cocktail Pisco ... read more
Vieil alambic
Vieux tracteur
Le telescope de l observatoire




Tot: 0.094s; Tpl: 0.006s; cc: 5; qc: 72; dbt: 0.0582s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.2mb