We arrived near dusk at the
Hacienda Santa Cristina. We had stayed there twice before and always enjoyed it. After restorative Pisco Sours, we chilled (literally) outside.
 |
| The beautiful grounds and pool of the Hacienda - of course, it was way too cold to swim |
We then ate a tasty dinner at the Hacienda restaurant and retired to our cozy rooms for the night.
 |
| Ash and Rachel enjoy a bountiful dinner |
 |
| Ash's impressive beef rib |
The next morning was beautiful (of course) and after breakfast at the restaurant, we headed to the horses. This is one of the benefits of staying at the Hacienda - free morning horseback rides. Rachel approached her first horse ride with trepidation but gamely soldiered through the trail ride. It was her first and might be her last. One of the joys of the morning ride is also to experience this beautiful farm and ranch land more intimately.
 |
| The grounds and pool in the morning sunshine |
 |
| A cool horse sculpture |
 |
| Rachel is smiling on the outside but worried on the inside |
 |
| The poor horses who had to haul Randy and Ash - bigger than usual riders |
 |
| With our aged guide |
 |
| The wild beauty of this part of Chile - this is a cactus farm - note the wooden stair style |
 |
| The road less traveled |
 |
| Rachel says thank you to her horse for bringing her back alive and intact |
Leaving the Hacienda, we headed south on the main highway towards Vina / Valparaiso. Along the way, we stopped at Los Vilos to try to find a look out to a penguin viewing spot I had read about. We failed in that quest but saw an unexpected and interesting mastodon tribute anyway.
 |
| The interesting and unexpected Mastodon statute at Los Vilos |
 |
| Another view |
 |
| The wild and beautiful coast at Los Vilos |
We then ate a late lunch at
El Chiringuito de Zapallar, the famous seaside restaurant at Zapallar, an upscale traditional seaside town.
 |
| The yummy machas - giant razor clams covered with Parmesan cheese |
 |
| Talk about a restaurant with a view |
 |
| My seafood stew - note the crab claw sticking out |
 |
| Ash reflects on lunch |
 |
| The El Chiringuito de Zapallar entrance - a popular place in Zapallar - you can't get into the place in the summer but on this off season Friday we managed to snag a good table without waiting |
 |
| The late afternoon view |
 |
| The four amigos after lunch |
Our next stop was at the penguin island at Cachagua, another of my favorite places. Here, at a small island close to the shore, is a year round colony of Humboldt penguins. They are visible to the naked eye. Also, at this place is a super rocky path along the coast. Rachel, Ash and I walked a fair distance towards Zapallar to the north while Randy waited. We really enjoyed the rugged coast. At this time of year, it was almost completely deserted. Next time, I want to hike all of the way from Cachagua to Zapallar.
 |
| The empty beach at Cachagua |
 |
| Randy, Rachel and Ash enjoy the wide and vacant beach |
 |
| My favorites - the Humboldt penguins on their island reserve - no people allowed |
 |
| More penguin close ups |
 |
| Selfie on the hike north of Cachagua with the island in the background |
 |
| Walking penguins |
 |
| Jesus on the coast (heading to sea?) |
 |
| Taking the scenery in |
 |
| Another selfie in one of my favorite places in Chile |
 |
| We were running out of light for our coastal hike |
 |
| One more view of the cute and happy penguins - they were very smart for leaving Antarctica for the improved conditions of middle Chile. This stop was a good end to a great trip! |
No comments:
Post a Comment