Valparaíso, “novia del océano”

    CHILE

 

 

 

 

A unique fusion of color and creativity pops up from the cobblestone streets and sinuous alleyways of Valparaíso. Intrinsically eclectic and original, intriguing and charismatic in its charm, the streets of this place that magnetizes plastic artists and inspires poets vibrantly exhale culture and art and melancholically unveil the golden years of its History.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valparaíso was declared a UNESCO world heritage site based upon   its improvised urban design and unique architecture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“62 moldes de corte y Confeccion” Intervention in the public space of Valparaiso alluding to femicide and violence against women through the exhibition of 62 different wedding dresses. Each dress symbolizes a woman that was killed by their partners in Chile during the year 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Housing on the cliff facing the port

	Valparaiso’s seaport at sunset

 

 

 

  Amo, Valparaíso, cuanto encierras... 

 

 

AMO, Valparaíso, cuanto encierras,
y cuanto irradias, novia del océano,
hasta más lejos de tu nimbo sordo.
Amo la luz violeta con que acudes
al marinero en la noche del mar,
y entonces eres -rosa de azahares-
luminosa y desnuda, fuego y niebla.
Que nadie venga con un martillo turbio
a golpear lo que amo, a defenderte:
nadie sino mi ser por tus secretos:
nadie sino mi voz por tus abiertas
hileras de rocío, por tus escalones
en donde la maternidad salobre
del mar te besa, nadie sino mis labios
en tu corona fría de sirena,
elevada en el aire de la altura,
oceánico amor, Valparaíso,
reina de todas las costas del mundo,
verdadera central de olas y barcos,
eres en mí como la luna o como
la dirección del aire en la arboleda.
Amo tus criminales callejones,
tu luna de puñal sobre los cerros,
y entre tus plazas la marinería
revistiendo de azul la primavera.
 

Que se entienda, te pido, puerto mío,
que yo tengo derecho
a escribirte lo bueno y lo malvado
y soy como las lámparas amargas
cuando iluminan las botellas rotas.

 

 

 

Pablo Neruda

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

	Museo cielo abierto (open-air museum)

 

                

 

 

 

Detail of our favorite restaurant

 

Journey across New Zealand: from Auckland to Bay of Islands

    NEW ZEALAND (NORTH ISLAND)

 

Looking at New Zealand’s entrancing and diverse landscapes modulating sceneries of a dramatic beauty, one cannot avoid the fascination of witnessing the sublime ability of Nature to constantly reinvent itself.
 

We explored the land of Kiwis in a “Hippie Camper” under a magnificent blue sky, coming across imposing mountains and picturesque grassland plains, active volcanoes and paradisiacal islands, wild beaches and serene rivers, wild beaches and lush forests, striking fiords and a rugged coastline, musical water falls and a vibrant underwater life…

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, the one and only…Hippie Camper!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auckalnd’s cityscape

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mangawhai Heads

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surfers waiting for the swell, White Cove

 

 

 

 

 

Eccentric motorcyclist on the road to Bay of Islands

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wangharei falls These are known as the Paris Hilton of the waterfalls: the most photographed but not the most stunning. Yet, at least for Portuguese standards, this 26-meter high cascade is still quite impressive…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waka ama (outrigger canoe racing) symbolizes the Maori connections to the Polynesian culture

 

 

Detail of an outrigger canoe, Bay of Islands	Pakiri

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waitangi, Bay of Islands This little village was the place where the famous Treaty of Waitangi, which formalized the foundation of New Zealand  as a nation, was first signed, on 6 February 1840.

Santiago de Chile, one gold medal!

CHILE

After witnessing the natural exuberance of Rio de Janeiro or vibrating with the explosive personality of Buenos Aires, Santiago may not be an impressive city at a first glance.

Yet, there is still a lot of nice things to discover in the streets of the capital and even the most oblivious can feel the politeness and corteous manners of the Santiaguinos. And, in terms of the most charming hostels, the gold medal goes unequivocally to Santiago!

	La Casa Roja hostel

We found accommodation in Barrio Brasil, where the colonial architecture of the buildings confer the mark of distinction and timeless elegance to the streets of this neighborhood.

The first hostel where we stayed at was wondrous. It was a palace-style mansion of the 19th century, with ornamented walls and high ceilings, wonderful communal spaces, and a convenient swimming pool and jacuzzi. For less than 10 euro per night we were able to relax and enjoy the beauty of a place that surely is able to make a couple of luxury hotels jealous…

The second hostel was a sophisticatedly decorated mansion of the beginning of the 20th century, Art Nouveau style, where comfortable, spacious bedrooms had lovely balconies overlooking the street.

Palacio de La Moneda, the Presidential Palace

Chalk painting portrait of Madonna at the entrance of the Cathedral, in Plaza de las Armas

Cerro Santa Lucia, where the founding ceremony of the city took place in 1889

We met kind people and heard some of their interesting life stories. Wandered in downtown among busy crowds of Santiaguinos and learned more about Chile’s History and culture. Went to a craftwork street market and admired the joyful colors of their artworks. Rambled in Parque Metropolitano, considered to be the lung of Santiago and one of the biggest urban parks in the world, and relaxed in the cool shadow of its ancient trees.

“Tupaihue” (God’s place) hill, in Parque Metropolitano

Funicular descending St. Christopher's Hill (Cerro San Cristobal), in Parque Metropolitano

Girls on a llama and a horse in Parque Metropolitano

After taking the Park’s old funicular to ascend Cerro San Cristobal, we enjoyed in the quietness of its summit a panoramic view of this nice, flat metropolis of the extreme South America flanked by the wonderful snowy Andean peaks and blessed by a radiant summer sun...