Chile- Patagonia (Puerto Natales)

After spending time in the blazing heat, we travelled down to the very tip of the country to Puerto Natales. Puerto Natales is the heart of the Patagonia in Chile. We spent three days at an all inclusive hotel (my mom calls this an adult hostel). The hotel provided a guide for the three days and all three meals, which was extremely convenient. Since it was winter in South America, there were not too many people near the tip of SA.

Much of what is to enjoy in the Patagonia is the landscapes and scenary. We went on several hikes (since my dad refuses to horseback ride or ride a bike). Torres Del Paine, the Patagonia national park of Chile, was beautiful. Because it was so windy at the park, much of the trip was a car trip. Wind speeds in Puerto Natales and its surrounding area could go up to over 100 mph. At night, I could hear the wind guzzling from my room.

The weather wasn't the greatest during out stay there. On the first day, our guide took us on a trail which started at the devil's chair to the milodon's cave. A mildon is an extinct giant sloth that lived in the Patagonia around 10,000 years ago. They lived the beginning of civilization in south America. Our hike took around 4-5 hours and it was pouring that day of. I was completely drenched from head to toe within a few hours. Because of the rain, we were extremely cold. I thought my toes would fall off.

We visited Torres Del Paine on the second day. Torres Del Paine is basically three giant pieces of vertical rock. Because of the strong winds, we didn't do as much hiking as we would like.

On the third day, we took the eagles cliff trail. We climbed atop a limestone cliff where we saw the eagles very closely.

Here are some pictures-

 Torres Del Paine.

Eagles eating roadkill. My father insisted that we capture this moment.

 

 The Devil's Chair Hike. It was raining badly.

  

An eagle.

  

  

 

 Guanacos. They are part of the Llamas/Vicuna family.

 

 It was so windy that even trees were bending.

 About to fly off the balcony.

 Giant trees along the trail.

At the peak of the eagles cliff.

Atacama - Part 2

"Two golden hours somewhere between sunrise and sunset. Both are set with 60 diamond minutes. No reward is offered. They are gone forever." -Horace Mann

Another interesting (and probably most famous) part of San Pedro is the geysers in El Tatio. A geyser is a spring that discharges water sporadically. It basically rocks with holes on the floor which randomly spews really hot water out. It is actually really cool. I haven't seen something like this before. It like watching water overboiling underground. What is interesting about geysers is that it only discharges water in the morning. They come in all shapes and sizes. So, we all got up at 5am and hopped into a car, drove 2 hours and got to the geysers field which is among the Andes range (I cannot repeat enough what awesome I think the Andes range is). These spewing springs are located among the many mountains in the Andes which makes it extra beautiful and pretty. Since it is winter, it was pretty cold in the morning.

 

(I forgot my sunglasses and I have small eyes.)

Chile: Atacama Desert

I recently just returned from a 3 week vacation in South America. My father decided that we go on a graduation trip. We visited two countries in South American-- Chile and Argentina. Though it was no necessarily the right time to visit these places (its winter in the southern hemisphere), it was still a really good and fun experience.


First stop, the Atacama desert in Chile. It is in the northern part of a very long country. Of the many place we went to on this trip, it is probably the warmest. It was not burning hot or freezing cold which made it perfect whether for hiking. Just like many deserts, it was covered with red sand. What makes this region interesting is the mountain range within the desert.

On the first day, we took a walk among the sand dunes. A relatively easy hike, we stepped down the sand dunes. I took of my shoes so my shoes wouldn't be covered in sand. But, my shoes were covered with sand when I got back anyways. ha.

Since I'm still working on my photographs, here is a snip bit of the first day.

More to come. Trying to get an update in a day. 

Spring Break Cabo: 2013

Hello!

It has certainly been awhile. I rarely update nowadays because I haven't been taking as many photos as before. I promise though, I'll have more time to take photos as soon as I'm done with school (and as long as my computer doesn't die on me). My creative spirit has kind of side tracked but it will be picked up again really soon.

Anyways, I got a chance to take a break for a week (though I wasn't sure whether I should have since I actually have pages of my thesis to write). My friends and I decided to go to cabo, I have always wanted to go there since I first watched Laguna beach (which it is probably a really dumb idea to go there). But, sunshine and beaches, oh..and margaritas...count me in.

I had my fair (or great) share of margaritas, tacos, tan, tequila shots, chilli mango, chilli pineapples and hot tubing. I got to try all sorts of tacos--fish, carnitas, chorizo, chicken.

We went to Medano Beach, the Arch, Lover's beach. We went on a booze cruise (ITS SHOWTIME DJ) and snorkelling. Ms. Zhong was brave enough to join us in the big bad ocean to see the little fishys. Unfortunately, there were no fishes (really there wasn't. it was all murkey sea water).

The night life was also very poppin' El Squid Roe was definitely a place to check out. It has a good mix of music and a good crowd.

Definitely crossed off Cabo on my vacation list. 

For my favorite part... 

The infamous arch.

 

Mango Deck at Medano Beach at night

Booze Cruise

 Showtime DJ! The failed congo line on the snorkeling cruise.

 My cabo headband

 At Lover's Beach

Probably the most and only memorable landmark in Cabo.

 I don't think its a sun burn, its the asian glow. Unlimited booze on the cruise

Uluru

After long periods of fussing and organizing (or unorganizing), my father insisted that he had to make his way to the dessert to spend the holidays for a view days. To be honest, I was quite skeptical and was quite reluctant to go with him. First, I literally just got home from the bay and I was pretty content with simply spending time at home and with my family. Second, since its in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. Meaning central Australia would be the summer. I quickly figured that it was going to be grueling hot there and I was not even prepared for the heat until a day or so into the trip. I'm a weird creature of routine so I like my seasons when I expect them to be. So, spending Christmas in the dessert wasn't really what I was looking for. But, I guess things turned around when I actually uluru.

I didn't really get a chance to update while I was down below. They charged for internet in most parts of the country (besides from the airport). It kind of defeated the purchase of bringing my laptop and my ipad with me. 

Really, it was pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It is good to be away from civilization for a few days. With no reception or internet, it really does everyone some good. Just sit back and enjoy your surroundings. So, for three days, we literally became fascinated by Uluru. We got possibly every single view of the rock formation, even from up above.

We also attended the silence of the sound banquet which was an outdoor dinner and cocktail party. People could enjoy refreshments as they watched the sun went down. We learned about the didgeridoo, which is an aboriginal instrument. It apparently helps with asthma or snoring. It makes a really pretty and interesting sound. Unfortunately, didn't manage to snap a picture of it (here is what i'm talking about).

Uluru is a sandstone rock formation in middle of Australia. It was a sacred land for the Anagu, the aboriginals who lived in the region. For those who really like to take pictures, what is also really fascinating about Uluru is the rock changes color at different times of the day and from different angles you look at it from.

We spent 3 days there and and I saw the sunset twice and the sun rise twice. Yes, I really did get up at 5am to watch the sun come up. And, every minute of it was very worthwhile.

There is something extremely peaceful about it. When the sun sets and the sun rises on it, you feel so lucky to be looking at it. You feel blessed that you there and everything that you have in your life. It really helps you reflect.

My mother and I decided to put our photography skills to use. It turns out that I still have lots to learn. But hey, at least I got to play with a DSLR. 

group at the kitchen cave. 

Uluru from the road during mid day. i messed with the color of this photo but it is just as spectacular without.

right before sunset.

men at the silence of the sounds cocktail.

camel ride. they are apparently considered a pest in the desert. 

camels. i found this kind of pointless.

my father made me take this during sunset.

sunset

 playing with the sun during sunset.

sunrise. this photo is not edited.

 

tree in the desert.

Something unfortunate happened with the pictures my mother and I took for the rest of our trip (in Taz). I accidentally wiped out her ipad on which she saved it on. Don't worry I have a few left.