5 things learned from living in Chile-Part Three

SouthAmerica January 20, 2020March 3, 2021 Apex, Cerro Armazones, Cerro San Cristobal, chile, Chilean National Park, Del Pangue, El Tololo, Frances Valley, Gemini, Geometricas, Interamericano, Isla de Pascua, Kari Kari, La Silla, Lago Grey, Lick Observatory, Observatorio Manuel Foster, Paine Grande, Paine River, Paranal, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Proyecto Alma, Rapa Nui, santiago, Santiago de Chile, Serrano River, south america, Torres del Paine

We’ve got to the final post of our series “5 things learned living in Chile-Part Three,” comes the best of what Chile offers to the world.

They have astronomical observatories

Among many touristic places in Santiago, there is one of particular importance. This is Cerro San Cristobal, in Santiago’s biggest Metropolitan Park. The park counts with attractions as a zoo, a viewpoint, a funicular which makes the ascend to the hilltop more enjoyable, and faster. There was a teleférico too, but this was out of service during our time in Chile. Back in 2016 it was re-opened. And, on this Cerro San Cristobal’s hilltop is where we find an observatory. It is in fact the oldest in South America.

Back in 1903. The United States of America, with support from the Chilean government, installed the first astronomical observatory in Chile. It was, in fact, the first observatory in the Southern Hemisphere. They made this possible with help from The Lick Observatory from the University of California. It was them, who were responsible of its function for many years. Now, it’s known as El Observatorio Manuel Foster. It holds this name in honor to Manuel Foster Recabarren. Who back in 1928. Purchased the Observatory from the United States. And, he later donated it to the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. They have been taking care of it since that time. In 2010 it was declared a National Monument.

For more details about it, check their webpage Observatorio Manuel Foster from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.

Chile has come a long way since their first observatory. Now, they hold over 15 observatories in its territory. Some of them are considered the biggest telescopes in the world.

Chile’s list of observatories are as follows; Gemini, Apex, Paranal, Cerro Armazones, Las Campanas, La Silla, Interamericano El Tololo, Galileo Pisco-Elqui, Cielo Azul-Alcohuaz, Mamalluca, Collowara, Del Pangue, and Cruz del Sur. For more details on each one, please visit Astronomical Tourism.

There are some new ones to come, as The LSST, El Proyecto Alma, E-ELT, Observatorio Paniri Caur-Chiu Chiu, and the GMT (giant Magellan telescope) featuring to be, the biggest in the world. For more on this fascinating endeavor check GMT.org.

They have Easter Island │ Rapa Nui │ Isla de Pascua

Easter Island holds its name because of the conquerors arriving there the morning of Easter day, and the translation of this name in Spanish is Isla de Pascua. The locals call it Rapa Nui and they have a say in their language “Te pito o te henua” which translates to “El ombligo del mundo” or “The center of the earth.” Today the main language is Spanish and the traditional Rapanui. They have the Rongorongo which is a system of glyphs that represents an older version of the Rapanui language.

History begins with Hotu Matu´a who, according to legend, was the first settler and arikimau (king). He was a Polynesian who landed at Anakena beach with his people and colonized the island. They brought with them bananas, taro, sugar cane, chickens and rats. They lived there for more than one thousand years in complete isolation. Researchers believe they had a class system, with a king as a god with all the power as Hotu Matu´a. The Moais are the most visible proof of this culture. These giant sculptures carved from rock represent their chiefs for worship. Most of these are located along their coast line.

We did the main hike along the coast, visiting the harbor, with very colorful boats and some shops. We walked down to the ocean and the water was cold. The Pacific Ocean is always cold; here we finally got to see the Moai.

During our visit to Rapa Nui, we picked up a few local words. The main one is “Iorana” which means hello and good bye. This is a word you will hear a lot from everybody being as friendly as they are. Another useful word is “Ahu”, which means sacred ceremonial place. We came across this place, “Ahu Vinapu,” and it caught my attention due to the stone masonry being very similar to the type you will find in Machu Picchu, with perfectly fitted basalt slabs.

Something we enjoyed while in Rapa Nui was the Kari Kari show. Performed by the ballet cultural of Rapa Nui. They represent the best of their Polynesian heritage.

They have Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine National Park was founded in 1959. It comprises mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers in the Chilean Patagonia. This park is located at 112 km from Puerto Natales. It shares a border, to the west, with another Chilean National Park, Bernardo O´Higgins. And to the north there is the Argentinian territory.

“Paine” means blue in the Tehuelche language. This is the most visited park in Chile. The Torres (Towers) are three distinctive granite peaks of the Paine mountain range or Paine Massif. They go as high as 2,500 meters above sea level and are joined by the Cuernos del Paine. In this Paine Massif, you will find several major peaks:

Paine Grande
Principal Summit: 3,050 m.
Central Summit: 2,730 m.
Bariloche Summit: 2,660 m.

Cuernos del Paine (Horns)
North Cuerno: 2,400 m.
Main or Principal Cuerno: 2,600 m.
East Cuerno: 2,200 m.

Torres del Paine
North Torre: 2,600 m.
Central Torre: 2,850 m.
South Torre: 2,900 m.

Peineta (Comb): 2,550 m.
Almirante Nieto: 2,670 m.

Frances Valley (French valley)

Aleta del tiburón (Shark Fin): 1,850 m
Cabeza de Indio (Indian Head): 2,230 m
Punta Catalina (Catalina´s point): 2,100 m
Trono Blanco (White throne): 2,430 m
Escudo (Shield): 2,700 m
Fortaleza (Fortress): 2,900 m
Mascara (Mask): 1,850 m
Hoja (Blade): 1,950 m
Espada (Sword): 2,050 m

In the park you will find the deep U-shaped valleys that separate the granite spires and mountains of the massif. There are four valleys: Valle del Frances (this is the heart of the “W” circuit), Valle Bader (this is a restricted area, you need to enter with a guide), Valle Ascencio (this will take you to the towers lookout.) And Valle del Silencio, which is also a restricted area, you can only enter here with special guides.

The splendorous lakes are: Sarmiento Lake or Lago Sarmiento which is my favorite with its incredible blue color. It is 86.2 km long and it is 312 m deep. Nordenskjold Lake is situated at the base of the horns. Pehoe Lake is well known for its turquoise water color. Grey Lake or Lago Grey is born in the glacier with the same name. And we have Del Toro Lake, and Dickson Lake.

The main river flowing through the park is Paine River and the Serrano River. Finally, and as important points of attraction are the glaciers: Glacier Grey, the biggest one you can find in the park. It is 6 km long and 30 meters high. Glacier Los Perros (the dogs) is a hanging glacier as well as the French Glacier. Glacier Pingo is closer to the fjords and Glacier Tyndall without direct access is in a restricted area.

They have the best hot springs in South America-Geométricas

Termas Geometricas, are located in a hidden ravine. On the northeast flank of the active stratovolcano of Villarica. In southern Chile. It takes the best hot spring position in all of South America. This in part to its seventeen-connected-stone-lined-irregularly shaped hot spring pools. The springs border the cold mountain stream, and have raised red-painted wooden walkways, for easy access.

The hot springs have no accommodation, and sits in a natural area free of buildings and crowds. This place is about the essence of hot springs, and does not require dressing up with spa facilities, bars, and other non-core services. Geometricas is the art of hot springs.

For more about it check this post “Termas Geometricas”

They have Glaciers

Finally, and as important points of attraction are the glaciers: Glacier Grey, the biggest one you can find in Chile. It is 6 km long and 30 meters high. Glacier Los Perros (the dogs) is a hanging glacier and the French Glacier. Glacier Pingo is closer to the fjords and Glacier Tyndall without direct access is in a restricted area.

We spent the night at the Hotel Lago Grey. From the hotel you can take boat tour to the glaciers.

The boat tour tickets cost US$60 per person. It is a three-hour journey. Here, we could appreciate, at a very close range, the beauty of these majestic ice walls which are over 30 meters high and 4 km long. You could actually hear the cracking noise the ice makes. The people in charge of the tour like to offer you a whisky on the rocks served with ice from this ancient glacier. We didn’t do it. Somethings are best left the way they are, and allow nature to take control.

Some other tours take you for a walk on the ice. The tour starts at Pehoe Lake and you walk your way to the glacier Grey. This would make for an awesome experience. Something to consider are the winds, they are strong.

The colors of these glacier icebergs were spectacular. And you could hear the cracking noises.