14 replies to this topic

[Advmoto18]

We enjoyed a 3 week family vacation to central Chile this month.

 

A fantastic place for walk abouts and camping;  although we did not do any of the latter. 

 

Chile is a fantastic destination for the adventurer.  Perhaps the single country with the most diverse climate range, the driest desert in the world to the rainy, lush lake district and of course, Patagonia.

 

My son atop a 1700' hill after hiking up from the village along the coast.  In-n-Out of coastal fog, much like Sandy Eggo.

 

My son and son-in-law hiking along the coast.  This particular trail goes on for another 1000+ miles along the coast!

 

The daily catch is off-loaded from the ~20' open fishing boats around 8:00AM and sold out by 9AM.

 

Recovering a fishing boat just after dawn.

 

Beach front rental?  Nope, a day hut for a horseman while his horses graze on the hillside.

 

We have friends in Chile and are fortunate enough to be able to use their beach and lake houses.

Edited by Advmoto18, 31 January 2020 - 07:03 PM.

[ski3pin]

What a great family trip! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Chile? Maybe someday!

[Smokecreek1]

Yep-what a trip. Sure like that beach front property-------wonder if they rent it out ?

 

Smoke

[craig333]

Three weeks in Chile? How nice!

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Thanks for sharing.

Frank

[Occidental]

Now there's a trip report you don't see every day.  Thanks for taking the time to share.

[2trout]

My son and son-in-law hiking along the coast.  This particular trail goes on for another 1000+ miles along the coast!

Do you know the name of that trail or any other info?

[Advmoto18]

2trout

 

I asked my Chilean friends if there was a name for the trail.  They replied, no, it's just called the "ocean trail".

 

Over the last 20+ years, I have day hiked many portions of it.  Unfortunately, the trail is not protected and high dollar development has caused trail segments to disappear.  20 years ago, one of the more beautiful stretches to hike was from Zepallar to Paupdo.  Sadly, that entire stretch of trail is now gone as multi-million USD homes are now built upon every bit of land between the road and ocean.

 

The areas we hiked last month were all north of Papudo.  We did several segments, driving to villages, hiking north and then catching a bus back to the rental car.

Edited by Advmoto18, 02 February 2020 - 12:25 PM.

[Advmoto18]

For the steak/wine lovers, and anyone who likes to grill....

 

In 2015, Netflix debuted a series, CHEF'S TABLE.  Season 1 Episode 3 was about Francis Mallmann (trailer here), a Michelin Star chef from Patagonia/Argentina.  Chef Mallmann is a fly fisherman and chef who cooks with FIRE.  I have probably watched this episode at least 6 times over the years;  by far my favorite!

 

Unbeknownst to me before our trip, Vina Montes in Santa Cruz (Chile) has a Mallmann restaurant;  literally in the middle of the vineyard, amongst the vines.  We booked lunch for the following day as soon as I discovered this restaurant upon arriving in Santa Cruz.

 

 

Mallmann cooks all of his dishes on or with fire, appetizers, entrees and desserts.

 

The grill...

 

Pizza and desserts are cooked in the mud oven...

 

A 1 kilo Tomahawk steak...

 

I purchased Mallmann's cookbook of 100 recipes for fire in the gift shop.  After lunch, my wife walked around the restaurant to gaze upon the unique design and decor.  She came upon a rather tall, big man with a full head of long white hair.  They talked for a few minutes.  She had no clue it was Mallmann until looking through my new cookbook that night!

Edited by Advmoto18, 04 February 2020 - 02:21 AM.

[Advmoto18]

Oh...

 

Did he finish the steak?  YES, HE DID!  He took twice as long as the rest of us to eat, yet, he savored every bite!

 

Edited by Advmoto18, 04 February 2020 - 02:20 AM.