19 December 2013

From One Family to Another

And just like that I'm home.  I can't believe these few months wen by so quickly.  Without a doubt, these people were a grand part of my experience abroad, and it was honor living with each of them.  

Hasta pronto, Chile.  Hasta Pronto.

Back:  Paloma, Montserrat, Paco, Belén
Front:  Gloria, Don Félix, Polly, Gonzalo
Don Félix and Me with the Christmas Tree
All of the cousins!  
Polly with me
Oliver, one of Polly's puppies, bottom left
Back where it all Started.
This is the picture we took the day I left for Chile just a few months ago

16 December 2013

Chiloé

Ancud 

Penguins live there!!!!!
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡PINGÜINOS!!!!!!!

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡PINGÜINOS!!!!!!!

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡PINGÜINOS!!!!!!!
all of these little guys climbed all the way up there.  They're about 15 meters (50 feet) above the water

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡PINGÜINOS!!!!!!!

Ancud from Playa Ahui

Fuerte Ahui - a Spanish Fort on Penínusla Lacoy

Fort with Ancud in the background

 
I'm not so sure that's a canyon.  

Playa Ahui

Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas

Puerto Montt
Volcano in the background of the Puerto Montt cityscape
Puerto Varas
Lake Llanquihue and Volcano Osorno from Puerto Varas

Parque Nacional Las Torres del Paine: Las Torres del Paine

Without a doubt, Las Torres are one of the most incredible sights I've ever seen.  They are well worth the effort and are an excellent reward after a long day of hiking. 
 




 What an adventure!
Left to right:  Austin, Parker, and Estefanía 

El Parque Nacional Torres del Paine: La Subida

These are some views in the park on the hike up to Midador Las Torres where one can see the main attraction of the park:  Las Torres del Paine.









One of the Glaciers that feeds all of the running water in the park


15 December 2013

Puerto Natales






Rainbow over the city


Many trees grow leaning in one direction because of the high wind speeds in the south of Chile


14 December 2013

Punta Arenas

All good trips during the holidays must start with a good, Christmas donut
View of the Andes in Patagonia
Somewhere over Patagonia
View of Las Torres del Paine from the plane
Punta Arenas, the largest of the  cities located farthest south in the world
Need directions?



At the end of the world, the Sun doesn't set until 22:30 or 23:00 each day.