FINALLY!

Hi friends and family,

Thanks for still checking in. It's been a while, but we finally have the update (PHOTOS) you have all been waiting for...

Here's Greg, chillin' with the marciano (martian). Please note the UFO in the sky (rock).

The source of the alien visions?

Greg-o and I at our first camping site in Valle Elqui... located at the VERY END of a more than sketchy 30 minutes of dirt/rock road, winding itself around mountains and passing, well, nothing. 

Our second campsite in Pan de Azucar is below (Dad/Mick, this is the tent we bought and you might inherit).... that's a small mountain/island behind our hut... on the other side of which is a flock of penguins. (Flock of penguins? Family of penguins?) Sadly, the water was too choppy to take a boat to the other side, so we don't have penguin pictures. 

There were, however, LOTS of really interesting birds along the beach. I wish we could have gotten closer because the photo really doesn't capture the moment.  (Dad, this one's for you!)

We hiked up one of the big hills (small mountains?) to get a better view. It was really more like a long walk at a steady incline, but made very difficult by the heat and the dry air. Even though I am sure we were pouring sweat, not a drop actually formed... the air stole all traces of moisture. The Atacama desert is the driest desert in the world afterall. 

And of course there was the deadly wildlife to contend with... LOOK! a Guanaco!

The view was worth every moment.

To beautiful to believe.

The Atacama desert has been compared to the moon... wouldn't you know it, there's the moon!

Oh, and before I forget, what's a trip to the North without genetically-modified grapes? Mmm... 

And much more natural and delicious... GOAT CHEESE!

In conclusion, it was a wonderful, though very hot and very dry, trip to the north, filled with adventure and food. Now... to the SOUTH!!! We leave tomorrow for 20 days. This time to rain and lush, lush, green.

With love, and missing you in spite of our traveling fun,

Eliana and Greg