Once arrived in Chile, I thought I wouldnt stay here for this long. I calculated on maximum a week, as I planned only to see San Pedro de Atacama. From Mendoza I would make my way up in Argentina and cross the border via Salta. Thing is, I went from Mendoza to Valparaíso and my stay in Chile turned out to be a little more than a month.
Valle de la Luna, probably the most surreal and beautiful landscape I’ve ever seen. It was a rough ride cycling there by bike. But cycling through the driest desert in the world and watching the most beautiful sunset gave me an experience I will never forget. Here are some of the pictures I took on that day:
If you look at the map, Chile is the long narrow country at end of the world. This neoliberal state is geographically unique, with a total length of 4300 km and a maximal width of 340 km. From the driest (non-polar) desert in the north to one of the biggest glaciers in the south, almost all climate zones can be found here. This country is not only interesting nature-wise, but it also has a controversial recent history which still causes heated political debates among its people.
The home of mate, great beaches, asados (barbecues), Luis Suárez and a liberal lifestyle. Those are the first words that come to mind when describing Uruguay. This country is often overlooked as a destination by tourists with Argentina and Brazil as its neighbors. To be honest, it also seemed quite unknown to me, but it definitely surprised me in a positive way as I strolled along the coastline.
Uruguay, the second smallest country in South America. Locked between the two large countries of Argentina and Brazil. Although its size is 2,5 times bigger than Holland, it has only a population of about 3,5 million. Due to being politically stable and having some social reforms over the last few years, Uruguay now enjoys a high standard of living.
The first ever post on my website… Although I haven’t put much effort into it yet, it feels like quite a accomplishment. This website is set out to be a personal blog. As I’m starting soon on a four-month-trip through South America, this blog will start out mostly about my travelling experiences. The lay-out will …