Chile

Photo Album

CHILE

Once described by a journalist as 'The Country in a shoestring!'

In November 2004, my wife and I went on the (second) trip of a lifetime. As part of my ongoing celebration (?) of my 60th birthday, we went around the other side of the globe to Chile. Why Chile? Jean had spent three years there as a child; her father had worked in South America along with his father before him.

Bales Tours had one labelled 'Chile, Land of Contrasts'. It sounded and looked good in the brochure. Our mission was to see if it lived up to its promises.

It's a country that is nearly 3000 miles long and about ten metres wide (joke) and sits to the west of the Andes mountain range. The climate varies from almost polar in the south with long cold, wet and windy winters to hot and dry in the north.

See and learn a little more about this fascinating country by clicking through the pages below. Or you can click on the map 'hot spots' to take you directly to an area.

There are about 370 pics or so in the 20 pages below. I hope you enjoy your little trip to the 'jewel' of South America.

	Firstly, we travel to London to meet up with a cousin of mine, Bob Rainford and his wife Helen. They live near Heathrow and provide us with an excellent pre flight lunch as well as a taxi service to the airport!	'	Some 17 or 18 hours and two flights later, we arrive in Santiago airport, Chile and are met by our charming and delightful guide, Paula, who is to stay with us for our two week experience.'
Our first glimpse of the Andes as we cross from Argentina into Chile		Descending towards Santiago we can see part of Chile's long central valley.
	It's November 7th, and we are in early summer temperatures in the southern hemisphere. The sun is in the North and this huge Xmas tree outside Santiago's main railway station serve to further dis-orientate us.
The beautiful blossom of the Jacaranda tree captures our attention in the twenty minute transfer from the airport.		Santiago's big student population enjoying some free entertainment.
	Paula tells us that there are about 7000 of these little yellow buses in Santiago. Far more than are actually needed they contribute in a major way to the pollution which causes winter smogs. Even the guide books warn one of the smog which builds up because of the city's position in a natural trough between two mountain ranges.		This little girl glimpsed in such a bus from our coach window. The locals call them 'Micros'.
Our first two nights are to be spent in the Plaza San Francisco Hotel which is right in the middle of Santiago.		A vast hotel lobby with comfortable easy chairs beckon to those of us who have just spent 12 and a half hours in Iberia's tourist class seats.
	Our room is positively palatial, there is even our own private Jacuzzi and sauna around the corner!		We have a few hours to ourselves and have arranged to meet up with Jean's friend of some fifty years ago: Lorna. Her husband Jean has invited us to join them for lunch in his restaurant.
And very nice it was too. Lorna, her mother and her daughter also join us.		Back at the hotel, this is the view from our fourth floor room. The clock tower was to become known as the eight o'clock clock for reasons that will become apparent. We are looking towards the Andes which are a tantalising 40 kilometres away.
	The telephone kiosks have a certain character.		Some dancers entertain passers by across the road.

I love your site,as an artist,samples following ,i am also a published travel writer in english and spanish,having lived in and been too over 35 countires,and 3 yrs in espana,I compliment you on your complete profile of chile!!bien trabajo,mio!!!if not,we can do the cyber speak!!!!muchas gracias,and i enjoyed your reviews!!!<>

art by e

eric

My name is Doris I was born in Vina del Mar, Chile but now live in Northern Virgina USA for almost 30 years, I was searching for chilean pictures for my screen saver and I found your page...I had to stop to thank you the wonderful job you have done and the time you spent to described all those place (big memories) I recognized many of them, I was raised in Santiago. I just went in August last year...and I dream every day about my Chilito.

Thanks again Mike

Sorry for the errors...my english is not that good.

Doris

USA

hello, this is probably weird, but i was searching the internet for Chile pictures and i stumbled across your site, i have to say there are some amazing pictures, i was there last year, on vacation visiting my girlfriend, and im getting ready to go back, yes you are right it is really amazing country and a highly diverse one at that, it was a once in a life time opportunity and luckily i get another chance to visit, i was just writing to say that there were some wonderful pictures in your bunch....

Rick

Dear Mike:

I truly enjoyed your pictures of the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley. You are such an amazing Photographer, but of course, I still go back to the pictures from Chile when I get nostalgic, so I can practice some patience until my next trip back home. I found this paragraph in an old school book, and I thought you would enjoy it. Please correct my translation.

Please keep taking pictures,

Chilean Legend

In the beginning of time, God created the wonders of the world. When he was finished, however, he saw that he had many leftover pieces. He had parts of rivers and valleys, of oceans and lakes, of glaciers and deserts, of mountains and forests, and of meadows and hills. Rather than to let such beauty go to waste, God put them all together and cast them to the most remote corner of the earth. This is how Chile was born."-

Maria Angelica Vargas de Rector

San Diego, California

thanks for the beautiful pictures

I am from Chile and moved to the US in 79' and I think the narratives from an outsider gives it a nice perspective

Love the pictures!

Paulina

USA

I wanted to say "Thank You" for the wonderful experience of seeing my Country through your website. All pictures are beautiful and brought me back to my childhood, specially Valparaiso where I grew up. I moved to the US when I was 13 years old, I am now 28 and only been back in "Chilito" once, wasn't it just breathtaking to be in such a diverse Country?....we truly do have a little of everything....can't complaint.

I love your work...it is of a real professional.

Thanks again,

Kathy

P.S.= I wanted to also to make a note about the Dogs in the streets. In my Country we do not keep dogs inside the house, it is not a matter of not loving them, its just the way it is. To each its own right?

Kathy

U.S.

Hello, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your wonderful photos with the world. My son and I came across your site while researching Chile. He’s in the 6^th grade and was able to use several of your pictures for his book report.

Thanks again! J

Raquel

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Mr. Baker:

'I have never seen photographs come alive until I saw your photo album on Chile. Very impressive.

This year, Chile will play as Host Country for the 2006 Miss Earth Beauty Pageant this November. The excitement is tremendous as this will be the first time the Pageant will be held outside Philippines and Chile is just as suitable with all its inspiring beauty. After viewing your photo album, I have learned to appreciate Chile.

More power to you and hope you can add more memorable photographs.'

Gemina Mayo

Philippines

Dear Mike:
You took my breath away! (Sorry but, not actually you, but the pictures of Chile!). I have not seen such beautiful pictures of Chile and such lovely words describing its beauty. You are welcome to visit again at any time!
My name is Maria Angelica de Rector, born and raised in Chile, but now a resident of USA since 1969. I reside in San Diego, California. I believe that you should publish a book with your beautiful pictures and notes. I will be the first in line to buy your book.

I will make sure to check your other pictures from other travels, but right now, I will continue savouring the views of that long and skinny country called CHILE.
Thank you, muchas gracias,

PS: in the seventies or eighties National Geographic's had an article about Chile. The journalist called Chile: "a country in a shoe string". Very fitting!

Maria Angelica Vargas de Rector

San Diego

California

What a beautyfull website, I live in Holland, in a city called Zoetermeer and my son, goes for a cycle trip, to Chili, Thats why I searched and came on your site. Sorry, my English is not very good!

I never thought, that this country is so beautiful, thank you for showing me!

Carla Velthuijsen

Holland

Señor (Translated from Spanish to English using Google Translate)

By chance I arrived at your pages of photographs from your trip to Chile, very beautiful photos, I hope that your visit to my dear country has been of affability and it has not had any disadvantage. (it excuses that it has not written in English)

David

Chile

Dear Mike,

I just "browsed" through your web site of your trip to Chile.

I am Chilean but live in the US (Williamsburg, VA - lovely place by the way!). I just want to tell you that you did an amazing job of showcasing my country.

The pictures are just beautiful and they all really "describe" Chile's diverse areas accurately. I'm glad you had a good experience.

I have lived in Argentina, Iran, and several US cities. I still think Santiago and surrounding towns are among the most friendly and pleasant places to visit.

I really enjoyed your site!

Maria Elena.

U.S.A.

Hi Mike,

I thought I would take this opportunity of thanking you for allowing me to see some of your recent travels.

I have kept your site in my favourites, as there is always something new to discover.

One pic that really appealed to me, the one of the dogs, during your trip to Chile, as a dog lover, it made me capture the feeling shown towards them, you can almost sense the misery in their looks, excellent pictures, keep up the good work.

My best regards...............

Hugh

Hello...

My name is Gaby, and I'm from Chile, I'm living right now in the U.S though...

I just decided send you this e mail to congratulate you, your webpage is awesome, and all those wonderful pictures allowed me to remember my country that i haven't seen In a long long time... Thank you...

Gaby

USA

In less than a month's time i will be making my first visit to South America. My friend and I are making the trip to meet up with two other friends who are on a Round the World trip. As we only have two and a half weeks holiday we have decided to spend our time exclusively in Chile.

Your website was recommended to me as a source of information and stunning photography of Chile, i must say that now i have taken 'your' virtual trip i am staggered by it's beauty and i am now even more excited than i was before!!

Thank you.

Andy Hitchcox

Leeds, West Yorkshire

'My name is Cecilia and I lived in a city named Temecula in California to be exact. I was born in Chile (Chile Lindo) and moved here in 1965, and never went back, no money, not every body is rich in California. I saw your pictures of your trip to Chile and I had to write to thank you for that, it brought so many memories, all good.

Once again thank you for taking me with you to your wonderful trip to a wonderful little country full of wonderful people, did I tell you that Chile is wonderful?? ha-ha.'

Cecilia Rios

United States

I came across your pictures of Chile. having never been there myself i really felt like i have experienced it at least partially because of your well-taken pictures and well-documented holiday. I'd like to do some travelling someday, and i might be going to Ireland with my mom and her fiancée this coming May. i really hope it works out, i have never been overseas. only to Canada which many Michiganders agree is mostly similar in surroundings to Michigan, where i live. i also really enjoyed the running commentary you had along with several pictures.
Although many of your pictures are self-explanatory, the fact that some were labelled added to the
experience-- i knew what i was looking at and had the photographer's input as well.
i just wanted to say thank you for posting your pictures. it was probably a time-consuming effort, but well worth it to many of the people who have sought out pictures of beautiful Chile.

Alexis

Michigan, USA

Hello-- Just wanted to say
Wow! Every Picture is super. You really have a knack for posting also.. ! Each picture has a nice focal point. Moreover, you appear to post one on each topic.. (indicating great restraint- you must have so many more). It's nice to see such an appreciation of the land, and artistic photography.

I found it while doing a Google image search for "on top of mountain". Your "the mountain top in a sudden wind" pic was on page two and a show stopper! [here]

Tracy

Long Island, NY