Chile - Adventures AROUND Valparaiso

By Dana

When we weren't enjoying the sights in Valparaiso, we were outside the city exploring the surrounding area.  Our adventures took us just north to some sand dunes in the city of Con Con, along the beach in Renaca and Vina del Mar, and a bit farther away to a small mountain called La Campana.  

Con Con

Our day at the sand dunes was a bit cool and cloudy.  The fog that was hanging over the coast and the dunes in the morning gave them an eerie feel.  However, once we started exploring, we realized just how beautiful they really were, especially with the fog and mist blowing over, constantly altering our view of the dunes and the sea.  It was also awesome to pretty much have the dunes all to ourselves!  

View of the sand dunes from the ocean

Brent hiking up the dunes

Brent enjoying the view

Some of our sand art made by starting the sand running from the top of the dunes like a mini avalanche.  We did this for awhile. . . I guess we're easily amused.  :)

Me on an awesome sand-board that we rented for about $3.  After rubbing some complimentary candle wax on the bottom they really fly!

The boards are aparently made for mini-people.  If you don't hold onto the string, it creates some pretty impressive drag, so we ended up crouching like this all the way down the hill.  

Fulfilling my sledding craving for the winter

After one of the many times brent ate sand.  He was digging sand out of his ears and nose for days after this.  

Hiking back home

Beach in Renaca & Vina del Mar

On our way home from the sand dunes in Con Con we decided to hike home along the coast rather than taking the bus back.  It was a beautiful walk and a nice, relaxing afternoon.  

View of the ocean

Brent hiking along the rocks

Fisherman

Cool rocks

Futbol players on the beach

Awesome houses built up on the steep hills that jutt out of the ocean

Our walk home. . .tough life, huh?

Some 'dino-mite' sand art!

La Campana

One of the hiking highligts during our time in Valparaiso was a trip we took to a little mountain outside of town called La Campana.  We went on a beautiful, yet toasty day with my host sister Picha and her friend Turko.  Turko decided to have a relaxing day and hung out at the bottom.  Picha made it all but the last few kilometers before turning around, leaving just Brent and I to peak La Campana together in the afternoon.  It wasn't quite like our usual hikes, but it was enjoyable just the same, especially once we reached the beautiful summit.

The view of Cerro la Campana from the base, right before Turko wished us well and headed back down.  The peak in the center is what Brent and I summited later this day.  Picha made it just to the edge of the treeline.  

Picha with Turko still close behind

One of the hundreds of super cool lizards we passed on the way up

A bit of a lookout

The super dry, hot, and relatively steep path

The boulder field near the top

Me at the summit

Brent enjoying his summit sandwich

Brent and I thoroughly enjoying our summit cookie that we shared at the top  :-)

The amazing view at the top

Chile - Adventures IN Valparaiso

By Dana

In addition to New Years and city tours with my host brother, we enjoyed numerous incredible experiences in Valparaiso.  When we weren't hanging out with my host family, there was alway something in the city to explore and enjoy.  Here are some of the highlights of our time in Valparaiso, Chile.  

The Coast

This was one of many walks we enjoyed along the beach / coast in Valparaiso

The Vina del Mar flower clock that we passed on our way to the beach.  Vina del Mar is a city right next to Valparaiso.  

Hanging out at the beach

Swimming in the waves and chilly, refreshing water

Enjoying the sunshine in our suits the same day the midwest made the Chilean news for being -50 degrees F  :-)

Tasty Chilean Treats

We enjoyed all kinds of yummy Chilean food.  

Empanadas

Helado

Chilean Bread - Chileans consume the 2nd most bread in the world, behind Italy

Most of that bread is consumed during breakfast or during 'once' (pronounced ohn-say).  Here's a typical table setting for 'once', which is eaten at night in place of dinner.  Usually 'once' includes black tea (with lots of sugar) and bread (with lots of butter, jam, and/or manjar).  This night I also made some brownies as an added treat.  :)

Helados York - A traditional ice cream treat made in and only found in Valparaiso

Brent enjoying his 'Helado York' maybe more than he should be

Pisco Sours!  -  A traditional, delicious Chilean beverage made by mixing Pisco (liquor similar to brandy), lemon juice, sugar, and egg whites.  Cheers!

Completos

These special treats get their own category.  Completos are a traditional Chilean street food.  They consist of a long hot dog surrounded by warm, freshly baked Chilean bread.  Then they are smothered in sauerkraut, relish, tomatoes, avocado, and since we're in Chile, of course tons of mayo.  

Brent enjoying his first ever completo

Me and Picha

My host dad making completos for 'once' (light meal eaten in the evening in Chile, in place of dinner).  Hands down, homeade completos are the best.  

The way I like them, sin mayo (without mayo).  Look at all that avocado!  Yum!

Chilean Fads

If there's one thing I really enjoy it's Chilean style.  I've noticed that the 'in' styles and fads of Chile usually come about 15-20 years after those in the U.S.  While last time I was here, I enjoyed the 80s windsuits and mullets, now roller blading has become the thing.  Anyone who's anyone in Valpo has roller blades.  The best part is that apparently you're cool if you own roller blades and not necessarily if you know how to roller blade.  I could have sat for hours watching the million terrible roller bladers and the couple pros go by.  It was great.  

Oh, and I'm happy to report that the mullets and rat tails are still around as well.  :)

 

Exploring the Hills of Valparaiso

We spent numerous days wandering around the hills of Valparaiso and taking in the amazing sights.  

View over the port

Cool house from a popular lookout

Another cool mural/graffiti

Church in Cerro Alegre or Cerro Concepcion

Brent admiring a beautiful street in the hills

Me in Cerro Alegre

One last cool mural

A random street performer in a plaza - a relatively common sight in Valpo

Chilean Naval headquarters

Eternal flame across from the naval building

Cool picture of a Chilean flag

And of course, me running away from the Tsunami!

Mercado de mariscos  -  Seafood Market

My host family prides themselves in always eating the freshest seafood.  If we're having seafood or fish for lunch, my host dad always go down to the market that morning to buy seafood straight from the fishermen.  Brent and I got to go with him one day to the 'caleta' close to our house.  

Typical fishing boats in the port

A woman rigging hundreds of hooks with sardines to use for fishing

One of my favorite fish for eating . . . until today I had no idea it looked like this.  

The fish we bought for lunch

You can either buy the whole fish and clean them at home, like my host dad is doing here, or you can pay a little more to have the men at the port clean them for you.  

If the fish are gutted at the port, they dump all the innards into the sea.  It's kind of awful to watch and think about. . . 

. . . however, the pelicans and seaguls sure love it!  

So do the sea lions.  They were everywhere!

Eel and oysters

Here's a typical, beautiful spread of seafood at the market

Boat Ride in the Port

One afternoon we payed a few dollars for a short boat tour of the port.  It's amazing getting to see the city from the ocean.  

Boats and a cruise ship in the port

I SPY a Jelly Fish

Barge and some navy ships in the background

The navy taking down the flags at the end of the day

View of the hills of Valparaiso from the water

One last cool picture of the Chilean boats in the port

Sunsets

We enjoyed many lovely sunsets in Valparaiso.  One of the most relaxing ones was when we hung out by the ocean with Picha and Turko.  We thoroughly enjoyed the great conversation, laughter, and cool cerveza Turko provided.   

Me and Brent on the rocks by the sea

Picha and her good friend Turko

The beautiful view of the city at sunset

Chao for now. . . .