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Chile and Easter Island

Seeing Motu Kau Kau the Birdman swam around this pointed island or rock.

This is a map of Easter Island. The numbers in red are all the places that we visited while on the island.

Murals on the face of a restaurant

Looking skyward at La Virgen. Notice the new moon above the lower hand.

Protest demonstrations in the Plaza de Armas.

This is a building across the street from our hotel in Santiago that had two sides of the hotel painted into a giant mural around all the doors, windows and parts of the entire building. They do this to eliminate the graffiti which there is a lot in Santiago.

Baltinache is a unique small restaurant in San Pedro. Its daily menu incorporates native ingredients as well as typically Chilean preparations. This intimate restaurant has a lot of charm. It's not the easiest to find, but it's worth the trip.

Ahu Akivi is part of the Ahu Akivi-Vai Teka complex which was built up by the Rapa Nui people in two phases. In the first phase, during the 16th century a central rectangular platform was created on a leveled surface. It had wings projecting to the north and the south directions. An approach ramp was also part of this platform which led to the ceremonial plaza stretching 25 metres (82 ft) towards the west of the central platform. A cremation ground existed behind the central platform. The second phase of construction was elaborately planned and implemented in the early years of the 17th century when the platform was modified, a ramp was created, seven statues of equal size were erected. Another crematorium was also built. A cave in which people used to reside was also used as tomb during historic times.

Spending years in the restaurant business I am always interested in the kitchen area for the restaurants. The kitchen with family working at Vaiuri was very simple. The food excellent.

A large piece of cork. It looks similar to bark on a tree only much thicker.

Entering the twenty-first century, rapid development persisted in Santiago. The Civic District was renewed with the creation of the Plaza de la Ciudadanía and construction of the Ciudad Parque Bicentenario to commemorate the bicentenary of the Republic. The development of tall buildings continues in the eastern sector, which culminated in the opening of the skyscrapers.

Coming back to shore.

Our hosts, the mother and the sister also lost their homes to the fire and have just recently returned after re building. This concludes a wonderful trip visiting Chile from the Atacama Desert to the Fjords to the wine country, and to Easter Island. A spectacular 3 weeks of travel. So many wonderful experiences in a country with great hard working and freindly people.

If you’re looking to get some exercise while you enjoy the vistas of Santiago, you can hike to the top of Cerro San Cristóbal. The hike takes an average of 45 minutes up the mountain and about 30 minutes back down. When you enter the park, from Bellavista, walk up the sidewalk on the left of the road for about 5-10 minutes until you see the trail head across the road on your right. The first part of the trail is pretty steep but it starts to level out after the first turn. Follow the signs to La Virgen, and after the second and third turn it’s quite an easy walk up to the top of the trail.

Nicole Flores, our Chilean guide for the trip, and one of our travelers mix the famous red "pipeno" to kill your sorrows. Quita penas, or "take away sorrow", is exactly what the patrons of this bar do - drown their sorrows with a large jug of pipeño or in one of their rich dishes. The food served here is a true example of Chilean comfort food at its finest, with bread, potatoes and meat as the base of almost all of these dishes.

The country side inland from the ocean. Very rural.

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