In November of 2003, four intrepid Bonaireans went to Chile for three weeks. This is the summary of how we got to our first stop in Puerto Varas at the hotel el Greco.
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Highlights and credits of our November 2003 trip to Chile from Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles.
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We drive from Puerto Varas to the resort of Petrohue on the beautiful lake "Lagos Todos Los Santos" at the foot of the imposing Orsono volcano.
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After driving from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt, we board the roll-on/roll-off cargo/passenger ship, the Navimag's "Magallenes" for the four day passage through the heart of the Chilean Patagonia.
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Our first taste of the Chelean Patagonia aboard the "Magallenes" cargo/passenger ship. This passage is known for its bad weather and rough seas. After a bleak start to the day, the weather clears and we take in the amazing fjords of Patagonia.
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Our luck holds with unusual perfect weather and calm seas. The Patagonian scenery is stunning! Passing through the English Narrows, we make a brief stop at Puerto Eden to unload and load cargo. In the afternoon, we are surrounded by glaciers.
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Our last day aboard the "Magallenes". We arrive into Puerto Natales mid morning and after checking into our hotel (the "Oasis") and explore the town. Puerto Natales is the gateway into the famous Torres del Paine national park, where we head tomorrow.
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Day tripping out of Puerto Natales, we visit the Milodon cave, home of a prehistoric sloth and then on to the National Park Torres del Paine. This is a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and one of the most beautiful, unspoiled and remote places imaginable!
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This day trip is on a tourist boat to visit Bernardo O Higgins National Park and see the Balmaceda Glacier.
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We take the bus from Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas to overnight. The next day we visit a penguin colony then fly back to Puerto Montt where we take a taxi to Orsono and our hotel, the Gran Orsono.
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We drive east to the Parque Nacional Puyehue with a stop for lunch at the luxury resort Termas de Puyehue. Then to another hot springs, Aguas Calientes for a hike through the forest. We drive back via the Antillanca Ski Center, built on a volcano!
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We take nearly all day to drive from Orsono to Valdivia along back roads. That afternoon, we wander around the waterfront markets of Valdivia.
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After a quick morning walk in the Valdivia markets, we drive to Villarica. From there, we take a drive along Lake Villarica and visit the beautiful Pucon before heading up the mountain to Lake Caburgua.
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We take a grand driving tour to the south of Villarica into hot springs country. Magnificent scenery and horrible roads. We pass through Lican Ray, Coñaripe Hot Spring Resort, Choshuenco and Panguipulli.
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We take a 10 hour bus ride from Villarica to Santiago. Chile has an amazing system of long distance busses: Two meals, two movies, coffee, clean, comfortable and roomy all for about $7.00 US!
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We spend the day recuperating at the Hotel Saint Lucia and wandering around the stores and markets in our Santiago neighborhood.
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On foot in Santiago. We walk through the picturesque neighborhood of Bellavista to get to the tram that takes us up into Parque Metropolitano atop the highest hill in Santiago; Cerro San Cristobal.
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After taking the bus from Santiago to Valparaiso and checking into the hotel Rincon de Valparaiso, we wander around taking in the very hilly city and riding a few of the many funiculars.
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More wandering around this incredible city built on hills that make San Francisco look flat! Up and down more of the funiculars, a unique part of Valparaiso.
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Another bus ride. This time from Valparaiso to La Serena. After checking into the Hotel Pacifico, he drive out to the small town of Vicuna where a youth festival is going on. After dark, we visit the Mamalluca Municipal Observatory.
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More wandering and dining around La Serena. Then a visit to the Capel Pisco factory, then a visit to the Japanese Gardens, full outstanding lagoons, islands, cascades and japanese symbols, this park was built as symbol of union of the countries.
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Homeward bound: La Serena to Santiago to Miami to Curacao to the dear Flamingo International Airport of Bonaire.
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