Midsummer In The Slopes

While Europe is bathing in the summer sun is the other end of the world going through winter. As Monday June 28 is a public holiday in Chile and hence creating a long weekend for us, we decided to take advantage of the extra day and spontaneously drive to the south without any real destination in mind. As the kilometres grew higher, also the destination started to form itself. Three Austrians and a Finn were heading to the Andes for a skiing holiday!

Carla was receiving the guests of the first hotel we stayed in, the ridiculously over priced Nevados de Chillán. Fortunately dinner, breakfast and the ski ticket were included in the price, and I was even able to negotiate the costs down a bit.

The thermal pool invited the daring guests to dip in - luckily it was as warm as bathing water.

Lukas healing himself in the thermal water. After the morning bath we got ready to rent some skis and pants and go enjoy the sunshine in the slope.

Slightly different view than over the Alpes. Do you notice the volcano in the far back?

Do you remember our first Andean skiing day experience with all the snow? Luckily this time the weather was on our side and the slopes were wide and bright, giving us the most ideal conditions for skiing.









Am I a pro or what? Huh?! ;)











At dusk we decided it's time to change locations and so we drove to the coast to Concepcion, the epicentre of February's 8.8 earthquake.

Men on water somewhere between Concepcion and Talcahuano. The second night we stayed at a nice hotel/casino in Talcahuano where we got lucky in roulette and won enough to pay the costs of the first night!

By the sea.

Street art. Or not. The effects of the earthquake (February 27) were still to be seen, especially on the streets. Bridges were broken, asphalt was partly missing and traffic lights were hanging. The detours caused by the road blocks were challenging our little road adventure in Concepcion.

Already on the way back to north on Ruta 5. Autostrada, exciting Chile-Brazil match on radio and the beautiful mountains in the horizon made the driver's gas foot heavy, which also the local carabineros noticed... Oops! I hope I managed to blink our way out. :D

On The Tracks of Pisco

Easter came and went, now the Midsummer Night Fest is approaching in Scandinavia. Unfortunately it is unknown fiesta in Chile, here being winter at this time of the year. Long overdue are the pictures of our Easter holiday but I still hope they let in some sunshine to the cold European summer and warm you from inside up.

La Serena was our Easter holiday destination. It is a little beach city located about 470 km up north from Santiago. It is Chile's third oldest city founded in 1544. Being by the sea shore, La Serena is an important tourist town especially during the summer, when people go to visit its long beaches.

Although La Serena can be grey and cloudy, driving some minutes to the east the sky clears up and the colours of the dry climate are vivid and strong.

The church of Vicuña.

We took an adventurous tour by local bus (actually, several buses but luckily not the one on the picture) and went to visit the little villages of Vicuña and Elqui Valley, where the Chilean national drink is made.











Valle Pisco Elqui is known for Chile's most famous liquor, Pisco. Pisco is distilled from grapes and has a taste reminding me of whisky. There is an ongoing battle between Chile and Peru: whose pisco is the original one? Chileans claim their pisco is the best - Peruvians argue their pisco is the most delicious. It's one of the favourite drinks of the young local people, especially guys, and they usually mix it with Coke.

Pisco Mistral is one of the producers of pisco.

Some images of the tiny village.



Salud! Pisco Sour is an aperitive cocktail which contains pisco, lemon or lime juice, egg whites, and syrup. Other flavours, like basil, apple, or mango can be mixed with pisco taking the sour edge of the lemon off. Pisco sour will be more delicious made by yourself but it is possible to buy in ready made bottles, as well. I still prefer wine, however.

Off The Green

Who can name that elite sport known as the luxury hobby of the most important gentlemen?



Last Saturday we got to try this sport, and not just mini-version of it but the real thing! Wow, were we excited - a wonderful day on the country side in fresh air - and all thanks to my lovely new workmate who was able to organise such an opportunity through her connections.

Santiago Golf Club is located in the village of Maria Pinto, 40 minutes outside of Santiago.

Before I always argued that golf, like formula1, is not a sport (sorry Tiger) but after three hours and only four holes I gladly agree that it certainly is one.

Lukas practising the swing.

Lukas approaching the first hole.

Showing Lukas how it's done.

Swing it like it's hot!

Lukas on the putting green, aiming where the flagstick stands.

Sebastian instructing Tibisay how to get some distance to the swing.

The fourth - and for us the last - hole was a challenge which provided a little obstacle, a pond. The best golfers manage to meet the hole with three strokes.

Wind made it interesting for Lukas to meet the drop zone at the other side of the lake, which he managed well.

Feeling like a pro with the golf cart.

Me trying the putt on the green.

Focus, focus, focus.

Yey, I did it! A hole in eleven! Although my handicap must be 157.

Mrs. Woods. If he is Tiger, I guess that makes me... Kitten?

Done for the day! Ready to go barbecueing.

The green grass of the golf court continues until horizont and it's oh so silent. It brings peace and tranquility, and is very therapeutic. The tracks offer a great range feelings mixing between success and frustration, joy and disappointment, amazement and disbelief, determination and concentration, until you hear the most beautiful sound. Plop!