C H I L E 2 0 0 6
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TRAVELING NORTH
We toured north of Santiago for one week beginning on February 19. We began our explorations at Hacienda Los Andes, a small lodge located on the gravel route en route to the village of Hurtado. Here we spent our time hiking in a desert environment that is very similar to home in New Mexico. Then, we spent three days in La Serena, a seaside resort. Apart from relaxing and enjoying the town (including its seafood), we took a drive to Vicuna and toured the Capel Pisco factory. Pisco is basically a brandy. Moscatel wine is distilled to ~40 percent alcohol (80 proof). The finest of the piscos are aged for up to two years in American oak casks. Of course, we couldn’t resist – we brought several bottles home to make those delicious Chilean pisco sours and the well-aged type of pisco that is enjoyed like the finest brandies. Our final night in this area was spent in Vina del Mar, another lovely seaside resort located approximately one hour from Santiago. The next morning we returned to Santiago for our flight to Balmaceda and fishing aboard the M/V Azul (see, Fjords Fishing).
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The entry to Hacienda Los Andes |
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The garden area outside our room |
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On a trail above Hacienda Los Andes |
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Look at the size of those thorns! |
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A view from the trail of the fertile valley near a river |
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Wild parrots in the trees near Hacienda Los Andes |
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A beautiful fountain (Fuente)
in the Plaza de Armas La Serena |
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The cathedral La Serena |
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The Judicial Building La Serena |
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The tower of Santo Domingo La Serena |
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Our hotel, the St. Francis La Serena |
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The Capel Pisco Factory Vicuna |
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An antique copper vat at The Capel Pisco Factory Vicuna |
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Ed with wooden casks in The Capel Pisco Factory Vicuna |