“I grew up in this town, my poetry was born between the hill and the
river, it took its voice from the rain, and like the timber, it steeped itself in
the forests.” Pablo Neruda
By Anita L. Sherman
So, you are thinking about visiting Chile in South America. It’s a long, narrow country along the southern half of the west coast of South America tucked between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. Peru is to the north, Bolivia to the northeast and Argentina to the east. Chile commands more than 3,100 miles of coast on the South Pacific Ocean.
Think of it as a long colorful ribbon or tassel on South America’s skirt gaily flirting with the ocean. In fact, Chile is the longest country in the world from north to south and the Andes Mountain Range extends the entire length. Mountains on one side, the sea on the other – what’s not to love.
Before we go too much further into the delights of this country which abounds in natural beauty, let’s get the pronunciation correct. The official language in Chile is Spanish although the dialect is different from some ofits neighbors. Still, think – chee-leh rather than chilly – like you’re cold. The final ‘e’ has an ‘a’ sound.
Delving a bit deeper, Chile may have derived its name from the indigenous Mapuche word chilli, “where the land ends” or another thought is that it is attributed to the Mapuche imitation of a bird call – cheele-cheele. TheSpanish heard about chilli from the Incas in Peru who had been unable to conquer the land. Apparently the Mapuche were quite warlike. In the early 1500s, the survivors of the first Spanish expedition south from Peru called themselves “Men of Chilli.”
Your city of entry, assuming that you are flying in, will be the capital of Chile, Santiago de Chile. It’s Chile’s most densely populated city and the cultural, political and financial center. It’s home to many multinational corporations.
The downtown area is dotted with art deco, neo-gothic and other styles. Take a stroll down one of its winding streets or visit one of the many parks. The outskirts of the city are surrounded by vineyards. There are more than 100 wineries in Chile which now ranks as the fifth largest exporter of wine in the world.
For a new wine experience, visit Emiliana Vineyards, just about an hour outside of Santiago. These folks are dedicated and passionate about organic winemaking. They are the first winery in South America to create abiodynamic wine. Cheers as you toast with a glass of their Chardonnay or Pinot Noir.
Don’t leave Chile without trying their national drink, Pisco. It’s a clear liquid similar to brandy, grown in the Elqui Valley from only certain types of grapes that are fermented and then distilled into a potent “aguardiente.”You’ll find it mixed with different soft drinks like Coca-Cola (Piscola) orginger ale. The most common version is the Pisco sour where it is blended with lemon juice, sugar, ice and beaten egg whites. It has a passionate following in Chile and Peru with both countries claiming to be the original producers of this lively liqueur. Don’t be surprised by its potency, Pisco sours can be quite strong but they’re deceptively very smooth as well. Oftentimes Pisco is housed in these neat leather-looking bottles with detailed etchings – just adds to the fun and memories.
Keep in mind that when you are in Santiago the mountains or the sea are only an hour away.
You’ll want to visit the port city of Valparaiso known as “The Garden City.” In addition to lush vistas from this major seaport and educational hub (home to several universities), you’ll be delighted when you encounter a street musician or dazzled by artwork. They have world-class street art.
The buildings are vast canvases for intricate paintings. For a really good perspective, try one of the cable cars for an unforgettable aerial view. And for you author fans, Pablo Neruda, the Chilean Nobel prize winning poet, loved this city. You may want to visit his eccentric house, La Sebastiana.
Chile is home to one of the driest deserts in the world, the Atacama Desert. Parts of this arid land have not seen rain since record keeping began. While devoid of water, the Atacama is home to geoglyphs – large drawings on the side of mountains. One of the largest anthropomorphic figures is nearly 400 feet high thought to be an ancient deity.
From the driest desert, Chile has one of the highest lakes above sea level in the world called “Lake Chungara.” Near Puerto Varas, Petrohue Falls, inside Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, affords some beautiful scenery -like Osorno Volcano -and the Andes. The hike is doable and the trails are well maintained. Don’t be disappointed as the waterfalls aren’t the high variety falling down from above. They are more like a series of rapids spurting out from the rocks but definitely worth a visit especially to see the brilliant turquoise waters. With the white-capped volcano in the background and a series of trails to choose from, youcan escape for quiet reflection. For many who visit Chile, the visit to Petrohue Falls is a high point.
While there is a new bridge built next to it, you can walk on the old picturesque Quelhue Bridge over the Trancura River. It’s used by the locals and now a tourist attraction. The Trancura River has white water rafting as well as fly-fishing. Home to hundreds of volcanoes, you’ll be able to see three spectacular ones from this bridge.
In the heart of the lake district is Pucon, a lovely town nestled beside Lake Villarrica with the smoking Villarrica Volcano as a picture-perfect backdrop. Villarrica Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in Latin America. It is an adventure wonderland due to its beautiful landscape and number of glaciers. You can climb by foot to the crater for a spectacular 360-degree view or ski down its slopes. If you didn’t know that you were in Chile, you might think you were in an Alpine town in Europe. The town is small and easy to walk around and it is the base for a number of nearby excursions. Take in a thermal pool or volcano climb or bask on the black sand beach.
Pucon has a bit of an aristocratic air to it. It was once the home of foreign fishers, artists and intellectuals. Today, you can stay in a hostel or a luxurious night at the casino.
So clear. The lakes in this area distinguish themselves because of their
enduring crystallinity due to underground drains. During the winter, the
toxins received during the summer, are drained. The region is sparsely
populated so the waters are not affected by agriculture. So, transparency and purity are maintained. Lake Caburgua is one of the last Chilean lakes unspoiled by algae.
And then there’s Patagonia, a region encompassing the vast southernmost tip of South America shared by Chile and Argentina with the Andes Mountains as a dividing line. The Argentinian side features arid grasslands, steppes and deserts but on the Chilean side you’ll find glacial fjords and temperate rainforests.
Definitely plan a visit to the Torres del Paine National Park. This park has mountains, glaciers, lakes and rivers. Paine means “blue” in the native Tehuelche (Aonikenk) language. It is pronounced PIE-nay. You will be dazzled by the bluest waters which release their heavenly hues into the glaciers that often are found floating on top. Not only blue but often jutting up like mountains of diamonds glistening in the sun – quite dramatic.
Speaking of drama, the Torres del Paine are the distinctive three granite peaks of the Paine mountain range. You won’t miss them as they soar some 8,200 feet above sea level. The valleys and lakes in this area are perfect to see from atop of a horse or hiking one of the many trails. TripAdvisor has ranked this stunningly gorgeous area as the 8th Wonder of the World.
Forming a long row of black silhouettes against a setting sun, Easter Island is known for its nearly 1,000 extant monumental statues, called moai, created by the early Rapa Nui people. It is one of the most isolated islands on Earth. It is officially a Chilean island at the southeasternmost point of the Polynesian Triangle in Oceania some 2,300 miles from Chile’s west coast and 2,500 miles east of Tahiti. The creators of these magical giants were master craftsmen and engineers. It is still unknown exactly why they were built in such numbers and scale averaging 13 feet in height and weighing 13 tons. Wonder how they moved them around the island? Plan a visit if you can.
If you are into star gazing, the atmosphere in the mountains in the northern part of Chile is excellent because the air is so clear. In fact, recorded to have 300 clear nights a year. Naturally, there are several observatories in thearea.
Blessed with extraordinary natural beauty, Chile is also home to nine different indigenous groups. The largest one is the Mapuche, followed by the Aymara, the Diaguita, the Lickanantay and the Quechua peoples. Take advantage of opportunities to visit and learn about their cultures. Each has their own customs and traditions.
Chile is blessed with very diverse landscapes from dry deserts to icy slopes, it has excellent culinary treats from street vendors to fine restaurants, great beer and wine – in fact, a burgeoning microbrewery scene – art, history, culture and magnificent natural beauty.
Chile has a little bit of everything and more. Oh, I don’t want to leave out something for you sports enthusiasts. The Pan American games will be held in Santiago, Chile in October 2023. Try a visit before and I’m sure that you will want to return.
Good things come in small packages. Traveling in a smaller group ensures that you will have a more intimate experience and the flexibility and freedom to explore. Biotrek Adventure Travels offers just such a package for the discriminating vagabond.
Visit www.biotrekadventuretravels.com or contact 540-349-0040
Anita Sherman is the community editor for the Fauquier Times, a freelance writer and a sometimes-itinerant traveler. You may reach her atanitajustwrite@gmail.com
The largest of the Caribbean islands, from the air Cuba resembles an alligator or crocodile and is known in Spanish as ”El Cocodrilo” or “El Caimá.”
Currently, it’s advantageous to be part of an organized group which could make your trip to Cuba a little more expensive but what good meal doesn’t come with a price tag. Often worth lightening your wallet for that once in a lifetime experience.
eld in New York you’ll know that darling Bono won the toy group. Bono is a Havanese, the national dog of Cuba, it’s a first for this breed. Prancing around the arena with his long, silky silvery and white coat, he strutted like the true champion he is to victory.
Ah, Portugal. When I visited the country of Portugal (admittedly a few years ago) it was after a visit to its neighbor Spain. While the two countries hover near the western edge of Europe, they, like their other European neighbors have distinct personalities and cultures.
Take a boat ride in Porto for a relaxing time on the Douro River. It’s a unique perspective to see this historical city from the river’s view. Famous for its Port, wine may not always be the first choice of beverage. Lisbon and surrounding places like Sintra find folks drinking a smooth cherry liqueur called ginjinha or ginja. Pop in a local bar or kiosk and you may find it served in a chocolate cup.
The beaches are blissful in the Algarve region – the southernmost tip of Portugal. Granted it continues to grow as a tourist attraction because of its warm climate, beaches and numerous other attractions, but it’s definitely worth a day’s explore if you get the opportunity.
In India, guests reach a near god-like status and are very welcomed. The country is large and divided into nearly 30 states with as many languages. India is complicated and affects people in different ways. While it may be teeming with humanity, its history, mystique and charm are undeniable. There’s lots to love.
If ever there was a movie that would entice you to India, in my book, it’s got to be The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with a cast of characters that, in many ways, captures much of the heart and soul that is India – romantic, chaotic, well meaning, funny, colorful, ritualistic and honorable. The movie is set in Jaipur – known as The Pink City – and when you see a couple of soon-to-be star-crossed lovers from the film scootering through the narrow streets of pink-colored buildings, you’ll know why it’s called that – most of the structures are a shade of pink.
Crazy for color? Dhulandi (Holi), known as the “festival of colors” is a Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil and the changing of the seasons. Out bad winter and welcome spring! It’s held in The Pink City. Dancing and parading with a troupe of dhol players – traditional wooden drum played in South Asia – participants will splash each other with water and powdered colors of red, yellow, blue and green. It’s a vibrant burst of living color to be sure as family and friends come together to laugh, dance and feast. Residents of the city put in a lot of effort and heart into this unique festival not to be missed if you are vising Jaipur during this time. Truly a memorable experience.
While the Taj Mahal is no doubt at the top of the list when it comes to regal structures, there is no shortage of forts, mosques, palaces and temples to dazzle and delight. Amber Fort overlooks the Maota Lake. A network of palaces and courtyards winds its way up a hill.
hile small in stature, Mahatma Gandhi was larger than life. An Indian activist and leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule, he led his cause using nonviolent acts of civil disobedience. Not only did he lead India to independence, he inspired worldwide movements for civil rights and freedoms around the world. You can learn more about his life at the Mahatma Gandhi Museum in New Delhi.
granted a subtler shade of green but nonetheless delightful. Years ago, when I was in Australia, my hosts introduced me to pavlova, a meringue-like dessert, in this case, layered with finely sliced kiwi on top. I’ve always been a fan of this fruit, but it is not native to New Zealand as many think it is. It is named after New Zealand’s kiwi bird, but its origins hail from China. You’ll find this luscious, succulently sweet fruit in New Zealand’s fusion cuisine.
apped mountaintops. Lots of them. When you travel with Sunny Reynolds of Biotrek Adventure Travels to New Zealand, Fox Glacier is a stopping place. New Zealand is the third closest country to Antarctica, only after Chile and Argentina.
1988 created a site on the Kawarau George Suspension Bridge in Queenstown noted as the world’s first commercial public bungy. He is also given credit for launching New Zealand’s adventure tourism industry. In 2017, as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to adventure tourism. Way to go A.J.
Of course, Humphrey Bogart’s portrayal of Rick Blaine immediately came to mind in Casablanca, but that filming never left Warner Brothers Studio except for some shooting at Van Nuys Airport. However, having dinner at Rick’s Cafe is definitely worth the memories. The restaurant and piano bar are designed with architectural and decorative details reminiscent of the film – watch for shadows cast on the white walls from the light of luminous brass fixtures. The food is excellent and, of course, there is a pianist on hand to add some music as time goes by in Casablanca.
edited for being the first travel guide of Morocco, is In Morocco, written by American novelist Edith Wharton in 1920. Her work contains vivid encounters with the wild Berber tribesmen in the Medina of Marrakech and in the houses of the gentry with their restricted role for women. She also talks about the harems of Rabat and Fez.
And shades of blue. Shut off from the world for nearly 500 years, Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s best kept secrets – it’s an all blue city and now open to visitors. Talk about magical charm and mystery, this hilly Moroccan outpost will grab at your heartstrings. Where’s my journal.
Sunny tells me that her favorite spot in Morocco is Essaouira. This medina is walkable. It’s also blue and white and has an active fishing port. Oh, and that 50s movie Othello was shot there, a fan favorite for Orson Wells.
So, your pre-travel diet should consist of watching a few flicks filmed in Morocco to get a sense of flavor, spend some time reading what others have already written about Morocco and finding a friend in a journal.
We had a great guide, itinerary, accommodations, and we had luck, all coming together to create the perfect safari. We saw lions, but not just lions.We saw lions in trees. We drove right under the famous tree-climbing lions of Lake Manyara National Park. We saw leopards. Once again, we were lucky. The leopard had cubs! We saw a cheetah with a kill, had elephants walk right past our vehicle, and watched a massive herd of wildebeest throw themselves from the riverbank and forge the river. We waited in the land cruiser, all of us buzzing with anticipation, as we watched lioness circling a buck she had already injured. We all knew the ending to this story but that changed nothing. The power and patience of the lioness was beautifully matched by the regal stubbornness of the buck. We moved on, aware that we would be passing by this way later that day. When we returned, the two were still locked in this dance neither willing to give in to the other. We were patient, we were in the right place, and we got lucky. All of this set in the breathtaking African Savanna. While on our Safari I learned many new bits of information on these many different varieties of gazelles, antelope, and birds, elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, as well as the gorgeous environment in which they live. I have condensed our two-week Safari into the best photos and the most interesting facts!