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Punta De Chocos
After breakfast, our first stop is at a mechanic ... No panic, we are simply doing an oil change!!!
Then we try to reach the two observatories in the region to book a guided tour at sunset ... Unfortunately both are complete ... Too bad!!!
We take advantage of being in Vicuna to visit the "Museo Gabriela Mistral".
It traces the life of a Nobel Prize-winning poet who grew up and was a teacher in this small town.
Back on the road again to bivouac by the Pacific Ocean.
Rivadavia
We make a small detour to go in the "Valle de Elqui".
It is a place of importance in Chile, due to its pure and clear sky that allows one to admire the stars like nowhere else.
Many astral observation sites are developing there, scientific as well as touristic. The environment is magnificent between the proximity with a clear sky and the beauty of the colors of the mountain range.
This valley is also the cradle of the production of pisco, the national Chilean alcohol, because its exceptionally sunny climate creates a very sweet grape, ideal for the development of a quality brandy.
We visit a pisco distillery where we learn the complete process of making this alcohol.
Coquimbo
Yesterday, the tourist office advised us to go to the "Feria Modelo".
It is the commercial lung of Ovalle. A gathering of businesses, where you can find a quantity of fruits and vegetables grown on farms in the province.
We do our market there before visiting the 'Valle del encanto'.
It is an archaeological site where traces of a pre-Columbian settlement were found. The discovery was made in 1946.
In 1973, the valley was declared a National Historic Monument. There are 3 types of rock art: petroglyphs, drawings engraved in a grated or minced way; pictographs, drawings painted on the stone itself; or piedras tazélande, unique cavities made on the stone.
In the middle of the afternoon, we resume our journey, still heading north.
Ovalle
The rise towards the north in this part of Chile is poor in tourist appeal.
To avoid driving all day without a specific goal, we try to find villages or cities with a museum or a church to visit.
Today our choice rests on the city of 'Ovalle'. The first to settle down are the 'Molle' then the Indians 'Aconcagua' and 'Diaguitas' until the invasion of the 'Incas' in 1426. The Spanish conquerors followed, so as usual, the lands became the property of settlers.
Not much to see, except the archaeological museum which was founded in 1963. The objective of the structure is to conserve and exhibit pre-Hispanic collections discovered in Ovalle and its surroundings, in order to promote and preserve the heritage of the region.
After a little tour of the city, we settle down for the evening at the exit of the city.
Quilimari
We continue our route towards the north.
It is a region that may be known to foreign tourists, but appreciated by Chileans for its beach resorts.
We stop for lunch at 'Los Molles'.
A fishing village that became an important seaside resort less than 200 km from Santiago. In addition to the long sandy beach, the site offers beautiful walks on the rocky coast. Los Molles is also one of the most interesting diving spots in Chile.
We resume our journey along the Pacific Ocean and bivouac early to finalize the notebook and the video on the Easter Island.
Laguna Verde / Valparaiso
On the program today: The visit of Valparaiso.
In 1536, the Spaniard Juan de Saavedra discovers this ideally located bay and its fishing village.
From 1544, it received the name of Valparaiso to serve as a natural port in Santiago but developed only very slowly during the colonial era, dominated by the capital Lima and its port of Callao.
After independence, driven by the discovery, exploitation and export of copper, saltpetre, gold, and silver, the city experienced rapid development throughout the 19th century.
Trade is flourishing, the port is develops, the railway arrives in 1855, the first funicular is built in 1883 on Cerro Concepción. Valparaiso is at its top ; people even come from Santiago to buy the latest European fashion, and it's known since the 19th century as the "pearl of the Pacific".
However, the opening of the Panama Canal and the economic crisis of 1929 plunged Valparaiso into financial and commercial decline. The city reached its lowest point in the 1980s, during the dictatorship.
To get to the city, we take bus 520 which takes us there in 30 minutes. It is Sunday and the city center is empty ...
The main sites to visit are mainly its steep hills or "Cerro" which have inspired generations of poets, artists and philosophers. A labyrinth of winding paths, colorful houses, old funiculars and streetlights cling to it.
Valparaiso, the city of "street art" at every corner. We find many murals that give all its identity to this city.
We did not really like this city, which seemed gray and dirty to us, only enhanced by the colors of the "murals" that did not meet our expectations.
After lunch, we return to the campsite to relax.
Laguna Verde / Valparaiso
Relaxing day to go to Valparaiso.
There is not much opportunity to bivouac in this metropolis. Thanks to Thierry's advice, we head to a campsite quite far from the city center.
Before our installation, we stop in a large supermarket for a fairly complete refueling.
We spend our afternoon working on our site and on the photos.
ROAD BOOK 218
MAVROS ODYSSEE
