Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Torres del Paine is a famous national park located in Patagonia, southern part of South America. It is also one of the 100 places to see in the earth. I did camping here for 3 days. And you know when did I camp last time? So long ago! I trekked 6-9 hours each day and it was quite tough for me. As, sometime I need to pack and walk with all my camping equipment including tent, sleeping bag, cook set, etc.

The scenery is excellent but it is very very windy. When it got strong wind, it just like No. 10 typhoon in Hong Kong.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

I took 5 hours bus to Puerto Montt and then 2 hours flight to Punta Arenas. The scenary on the flight is excellent that I can see snowy mountains and glaciars!

In Punta Arenas, I joined boat trip to Isla Magdalena, Penguin Colonies. I was so happy and

crazy as the penguins are all around. They are so many! I took 170+ photos in one hour!

They are so cute!

And right now I still have 6 hours before mid night, so Happy New Year 2007!

Pucon

Pucon, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Pucon is located in the lake distinct of Chile. I planned to go there because there is Villarrica Volcano. Tour can lead you up to the top of this active volcano and see the melting magma. I got up at 6:00am in the morning and the weather seem good. However, the guide told us that the weather is too hot that the snow turned into ice and it might be dangerous. It is only 50/50 chance that we can go to the top. Even though I can choose to go tomorrow, but who know weather of tomorrow. The guide told me that last time he reach the top with the group is 15 days before.

We trekked up the snowy path for two hours and then we stopped. It is very difficult to walk on the snow as it is very slippy even I have full set of equipment. But it is my first time and it is fun.

Mission failed! The guide asked us to return and no more melting magma.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

It is a small seaside city two hours bus ride from Santiago. It has some interesting hillside elevators, called ascensores, which were built between 1883 and 1916.

I had excellent seafood soup for lunch and bought strawberry with red wine for my Christmas Eve.

Easter Island

Easter Island, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui called by local people, is one of the most isolated places on earth. It is 3700km from the nearest continental, South America. I took 5 hour flight from Santiago and all the way the flight map showing is only blue ocean. The island is not very big, much smaller than our Lantau Island.

The moai, enormous stone sculptures are made for honoring their ancestors. The big one can be 10M height. All the moai is made in same place, Rano Raraku volcano but they are all around the island, around one thousand in total. How can they move them to the coast during that time?

Santiago

Santiago, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Merry Christmas from Santiago, Chile. This is a big city that I missed for 2 months. I joined a wine tour, played street flighter, go to central market, make dinner for myself, do shopping before X'mas!

I changed my flight so I am heading to Easter Island tomorrow. So, wish you all have a good holiday in Hong Kong and cool X'mas!!

Calama

DSCN0438, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Calama is a town which I take my flight to Santiago. Bought cherry at the roadside stall at US$2 for half kilo.

Horse Riding

DSCN0430, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Today, I have nothing to do but to wait for another day for the flight from Calama to Santiago on 16 Dec 2006.

So, I went to try horse riding around the town. And it feel quite good!

And I took the sky observation tour at night for watching the star. The area has no cloud so it is one of the clearest sky on Earth.

San Pedro de Atacama

IMG_7162, originally uploaded by Tak from HK.

Chile is much more expensive than Bolivia. Everything cost twice here!

This city is a desert area so it is very dry and hot during the daytime and cool at night.

The dead valley has no any live due to little rainfall, no plant, no animal and even insect.

The moon vally is named due to its landscape like the surface of moon. See if you think so.

The tour guide said that the moon valley will change color during sunset. It sounds good, but I didn´t found any great color change during my visit. :(