Santiago
I arrive on a Saturday night in Santiago, the taxi driver asked me if I’m really planning on staying the night in this neighbourhood? Ehh yes, I answer, I’ve got a reservation. It isn’t the best of hostels, but I think I can survive this. That night there is a lot of partying going on in the hostel, I’m glad to have my earbuds. At breakfast the subject is booze, drugs and rock & roll and they all love that I’m from the Amsterdam area.
It’s Sunday morning and Santiago is still asleep. There is almost nobody on the streets although a flasher passes by on his bike, yuck, what a thing to do on a Sunday morning. It’s indeed a bit of a strange neighbourhood.
I’m walking through the friendly city, see pretty graffiti and walk up to San Cristobal up on the mountain. This enormous statue of the holy virgin Mary is looking over the city Santiago de Chile. At the church nearby an open air service is being held and with sun in my face I listen to the words I sadly cannot understand.
Just a bit longer I enjoy the beautiful view over the city, before I go to San Pedro de Atacame in the North of Chile.
San Pedro de Atacama
This town is located at 2300 meter altitude and it built around an oasis in the Atacama desert.
During the day is warm and cosy but at night it gets really cold.. brrrrr
There is a lot to do around San Pedro de Atacama , I’m here for four days and book some tours.
In Rainbow Valley I see tje coloured mountains! Because of minerals the rocks are white, green and blue.
In Valle de Luna I imagine being on the moon, we walk round this surreal environment and enjoy a beautiful sunset.
The following morning, it’s freezing cold. We watch the sunrise and visit the many geysers at El Tatio.
The world beneath this desert seems quite active.
On the road we encounter Lama like animals, flamingos and other wildlife. I try a piece of Lama from the BBQ, it tastes meaty, tough and spicy. I’m not really a meat lover, but like to try it anyway.
Driving around in the desert is excellent! There are no roads and we just follow the tracks of cars that have previously been here. The landcape changes all the time and is fascinating to watch.
Many of the volcanoes have once spewed big pieces of porous rock. In a part of the desert different pieces of these rocks are near each other. One looks like an enormous native american. Look at how small the people besides the native american are.
We lunch in the nature reserve Salar de Tara. The area is coloured because of the blue water, red soil and mountains and the green yellow grasses. Animals are walking everywhere and the nature is really beautiful and overwhelming. I start to dream a bit; how one would work or even live here….
Vulcano Lascar
Volcano Lascar is an active volcano. After many calls and arrangements I managed to book a tour. Excellent, another wish is granted! I’m going to climb the volcano.
In the morning we start the day of drinking tea at lake straight out of paradise.
Then we walk for 2,5 hours on a slow pace towards an altitude of 5483 meter. The track is steep and with the high altitude we don’t have the same amount as oxygen as normal. You have to take very deep breaths.
It’s a big climb and once we reached the summit, we look into the crater of the volcano. This crater is huge and is something I’ve never seen before. It must be at least 500 meters across and everywhere I see holes which are blowing smoke. The sulphur smell is strong and the wind is blowing fiercely. While standing still I feel intense cold and almost cannot feel my fingers, I’m having a tough time taking pictures. But besides these inconveniences it gives great joy and a fantastic feeling to be able to be on this very spot.
Not many tourist climb this volcano and I feel glad and proud that I was able to!
Do you want to read part I Patagonië of this journey? https://www.marianaroundtheworld.com/en/america/south-america/argentina-chile-and-easter-island-a-journey-with-stark-contrasts-i/
Do you want to read part III Easter Island and the Iguazu Falls? https://www.marianaroundtheworld.com/en/america/south-america/argentina-chili-and-easter-island-a-journey-with-stark-contrasts-iii/
