Mountain Bike Tall People
The place September 8 – Chile
More than 2600 kilometers long and extends from the South Pacific Sea cool the tropical heat is not surprising Chile to understand these dramatic changes. My whirlwind tour took me to the vibrant and cosmopolitan city of Saint-Jacques, with its backdrop of mountains, south of the desert Patagonia, north of the dry Atacama Desert and then west to the isolation of the island wonderful Easter.
In the extreme south of Chile is wild, whipped by the wind, spread flat and arid Patagonia. Once all that is forested is now the strange array of stunted trees, bent and sculpted by the wind. The rest became a grazing area for large sheep ranches, horse meat, distributed in 7 to 50 000 hectares. However, in this desolate land otherwise lowlands and none is more intriguing than beautiful Torres del Paine. With an area of 600,000 hectares of the Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO amounted to a large number turquoise, ultramarine and lake in the hills of gray spectacular Torres del Paine from which the park takes its name. Essentially an outdoor activity destination, my days were devoted to relaxing walks beside the blue ice, or tantalizing glimpse capture peaks. Riding an afternoon found that the muscles they forgot long, though the barbecue meat that had followed to convert a vegetarian. Mountain biking and fishing (at the time of the year) were also available.
A flight via Santiago took me to the opposite end Atacama country. Driest, highest desert in the world to the one we stayed at the Hotel Explorer an oasis of comfort. Days were spent exploring, though the spa pools and pool were a distraction tempting. ATV in a variety of terrain and long journeys that led us more than 13,000 feet, where the remote lakes reflecting the changing colors of the surrounding peaks. The local village of San Pedro de Atacama is an oasis of backpacking and cafes at meanwhile, had argued that serves delicious food cheap. At night, we were out of Salt Lake to watch the sun turn the mountains red dark purple and rich as the last rays flickered, so the flamingos slipped quietly to begin his night feeds.
Return to Santiago and 5 hour flight to Isla Easter. It may sound like an unnecessary addition, but do not be discouraged. Worth every minute of the trip. Smaller than the Isle of Wight, as the west coast of Scotland dominated by three extinct volcanoes, which retains a magic that is hard to define. Populated by a people of Polynesia fun loving who migrated in the 5th century AD, the city has many bars and restaurants. The highlight, of course, are the moai statues are some 30 feet high representing the ancestors of the people. There are long walks over easy on top of cliffs or on the crater rim. Moai spilling everywhere, a testament to the fighting between clans destroyed this culture somewhere in the 12th century. I liked it.
My final half day was devoted to a walking tour of the port of Valparaiso, one hour from the Santiago airport. We have spent the houses brightly painted corrugated iron clothing and art from the busy street (now the subject of a book), is mounted cable car from the Century 19 (no 6), which still serve the city, visited museums and ended with a really delicious meal. Valparaiso is becoming the place Fashion to live and therefore the same enthusiasm. It is also well situated for visits to several excellent vineyards.
About the Author
Steppes Travel specialise in Chile holidays, China holidays and .
Ty Bowmaker – 2010 Cinema Reel
