Another Land Down Under

Valparaiso, or  Valpo as it is known locally, is a tough port city with the highest crime rate in Chile. Nevertheless, it's an intriguing and culturally rich UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the muggings are of the snatch and grab variety. With a little caution and common sense the risks are minimized and we were certainly glad we visited! Valpo continues to have an old world feel to it. Some people say that not much has  changed during the past century.                          The original name of the area was Valle de Paraiso (Paradise Valley) hence the name Valparaiso . That's hard to imagine as you stare into an industrialized harbour but the nearby resort city of Vina del Mar has top notch gardens and beaches. Many sailors arrived in Valpo after a long journey from Europe via Cape Horn. An earthquake in 1906 severely damaged the city and thus the national economy. Further decay set in after t...

England, New Zealand and Italy are justifiably proud of their lake districts but Chile's version is hard to beat. It's a hypnotic fusion of cerulean waters and ice-capped volcanoes, pretty waterfalls, hot springs and ancient forests.  Whether you're an adrenaline junkie rafting down a river or simply lingering on a black sand beach, it's an amazing place! Part of the luster wears off during the summer when the towns are too congested. By design we arrived when things were less frenetic.               The city of Puerto Varas is nestled on Lake Llanquihue, the third largest body of water in South America. Osorno Volcano has historically been one of the most active craters in southern Chile. Its symmetrical appearance is often compared to Mt. Fuji. The lake supports a prodigious salmon industry that accounts for the majority of the country's aquacultural. It's sustainably managed too: fry are released directly into the water so the...