Adventures up the Chilean coast

Given that we only planned on spending one day in Chile, the 10 (reasonably expensive) days we ended up spending there were a pretty good bonus - 4 in Santiago and 6 making our way up the coast. Taking our time up Chile´s ridiculously long coast line turned out to be a great decision as we took in some gorgeous wild life, met some fantastic people and had time for plenty of activities on the way:

National reserve in Pinguino de Humbolt - colony of sea lions, sea otters, penguins, bottlenose dolphins and many bird species:

Our lunch spot at the reserve - Isla Damas:

Bahia Inglesia - a great place to relax, have a game of international soccer, a bbq cooked by our guides and a couple of local vinos:

La Portada cliffs near Antofogasta - don´t be fooled - the town doesn´t live up to the same beauty as the coast:

Mano del Desierto (Hand of the desert). In the middle of the Atacama desert, where some meterological stations have not registered rain in over 50 years.

Oficiana Alamania - the desert used to be full of many nitrate mining operations - the main source of income during the 19th century - now kaput! This is a deserted cemetary where many graves have been robbed and open for viewing if you desire.

Valle de la luna (Moon Valley). Unfortunately Pink Floyd cancelled their concert here:

San Pedro de Atacama. Taking advantage of the lack of rain:

Salt lakes of Atacama on the tropic of Capricorn. Flamingos at sunset...

And Charlies Angels make a guest appearance: