Elqui Valley

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Anybody seen one of these before - I don't know if it has a proper name or not but I'd call it a Wind Harp. You can't see the strings in this photo but there are two sets of them, a longer set and a shorter set. And because of its location on the Puclaro Dam there is a continual wind blowing, so you end up with a virtually infinite number of musical creations. Looking down the valley on the opposite side from the reservoir (or did you figure that part out already?). How would you like to be living ... ... below this, in a country that is associated with so many earthquakes over the years? Apparently the reservoir is really popular with wind surfers. And this is the result of having a reservoir available to irrigate an otherwise barren valley. It's really quite astounding when you look at the comparable vegetation on the hillsides. Without irrigation this is more or less how the area would look. This photo is at the end of the Elqui Valley road, so there aren't any more farms in this area. It's presently a wildlife preserve, you'll see a sign about this later. There's our destination just ahead on the left. You can see the domes at center left. It's the Elqui Domo! The largest dome, a bit to the right is the reception centre. The pool at the rear of the reception centre. Meet Nathalie, she was our hostess, server and information center. We were here at the end of Nov. and she was going to be married on Jan. 5 to the chef from Elqui Domo. Pato Lucho. We wish them all the best and the next few pictures show the church they are getting married in. This is the church in Pisco Elqui. The town is about 5 km from where we were staying in the domos. ... and the inside of the church. Nathalie had one Canadian experience when, as a gymnist, she went to the 1999 Pan American games in Winnipeg. Luckily for her the games are normally held in the summer. The restaurant area of the main dome. There was one other group there at the time, the American family shown in the photo. The domes are built on the hillside so each one has a view of the valley below. Showing the interior sitting area of ours. There were lots of windows that could be unzipped. The telescope came with each unit but they were poorly maintained and available instruction was really limited. The loft area with a queen size bed and a roof panel that opened. It was great to lie there at night and watch for falling stars, etc. as you were going to sleep. No mosquitoes or other bugs either. This was our outside patio area, it was large and relatively private. A great place to just vegetate with a good book. The hammocks were right behind our unit nicely tucked away in the shade. Our nearest neighbours. The masseuse's tent was just above the hammock area and she did a fantastic massage. You can see E looks pretty relaxed. The next day we went for a drive to the end of the road. Why? Just because. Looking back down the road you can see the domos right in the centre of the picture. Hmmm, another cactus patch, although these ones weren't being cultivated, they just grew and blossomed! There isn't much in the way of commerical businesses operating in these little out of the way settlements. Farther along we did find another resort with a restaurant that looked really nice but, wouldn't you know it, it was closed! Another one of those trees. There wasn't a lot of traffic on the road. I guess when it's a road that doesn't go anywhere that's understandable. Somewhere along the road. It might have been in the other little town called Alcoqua, there was actually a small primary school there. More vineyards and avocado farms. Apparently avocado is another product from the Elqui Valley. From what we were told, they grow the grapes on the bottom of the valley and the avocado on the hillside. It was interesting to see how far up the hillside the farms were expanding. A lot of them were quite steep as well, picking wouldn't be a job that I'd aspire to. No matter where you are down here it's compulsory to make sure there is rooom for a football (soccer) pitch! Hmmm, looking pretty barren, must be getting near the end of the road. Sure enough, this is it, the end of the road. There is actually a house there with an old fellow living in it. He didn't speak any English and my Spanish wasn't nearly good enough. But he could easily live a hermit's life out here. And on the other side of the sign is an animal preserve. OK, third to last day in Chile and we're heading back to Santiago. These trees are so colourful. We were just outside of Pisco Elqui and stopped to take a few pictures of the valley. (Yeah, like he needs more pictures of the valley!) ... ... When along came this fellow. I asked if I could take his picture and he set himself up across the road and posed as if it was a totally common occurence. We didn't think that there would be that many tourists in the area. I thanked him and he just smiled and continued riding. (I didn't try to read his mind.) My God, a flower with whiskers! Here's another one of those once in a lifetime cacti. See what I was saying about how far up the hillsides the farms are going. OK, we're out of the valley now and taking a 'shortcut'. Believe it ot not, this road went on for ages without any traffic until I stopped to take a picture. I took it anyways as it would have taken too long to wait for the dust to subside. After the road went straight it then got wiggly as it headed up the mountain, but it did afford a good view. And this is where we were. E got a bit nervous when she spotted these 'earthquake' cracks. Sometimes the view never seems to change. OK, so we were a good 20-25 kms from the nearest town on a road that is only used by locals (or so it seemed) and here was not only a shrine, but there were souvenirs for sale, on the honour system. Shortly after that the road began to deteriorate and it was still climbing. We got a bit farther along and ended up stopping at a farm where I tried to ask the fellow if we were on the right road. My Spanish is very limited. He assured us we were, so we travelled on. Once again we weren't seeing any signs of life and I began to realize my Spanish might be worse that I thought. Then we came upon a small house. I stopped and tried my Spanish again but ... ... lo and behold out came this American couple, Dale & Sandi Boe! He and his wife are sort of like missionaries and have been living up here (over 5 000 ft.) for the past 2-3 years building a school called <a href='http://www.vfo.org' target='_blank'>'Vocations for Orphans'</a>. They invited us in for tea and conversation. Have a look at their website and video, it's interesting and not too heavy. This is the area where the buildings that are referred to in the video will be constructed. After our tea and chat we set out again. At least this time we knew we were on the right road to civilization. There are some times in life when signage is rather redundant! Somewhere along the road. That line running down and across the hill is a rock wall! The hotel where we spent our final night in Chile. It took a while to find the right place but it was worth it. Lots of flowers ... ... a nice view over our garden area ... ... more flowers ... ... a great meal with excellent wine ... ... and even better company! We got to find out how you make a damage claim through Visa when I stalled the car and it 'lurched' into a rockery. And wouldn't you know it it was on the morning of the last day when we were about to leave the hotel and drive the last 200 kms to the airport!!