Punta Arenas, Chile

While Punta Arenas is clearly a thriving city these days, the first Spanish settlements along the Strait of Magellan coast, dating back to the late-16th Century, proved less than successful due to the extremely harsh climate and lack of food and water. In 1843 the Chilean government tried its luck with a team of 21 settlers, and in 1848 the surviving group moved to the banks of the Las Minas River, officially becoming Punta Arenas. The settlement became known primarily as a military penal colony, with a less than illustrious history of mutinies that caused considerable hardship on local residents and the city itself. Ranching, mining and nautical trade eventually helped settle the city down by the turn of the century, and it has continued to grow and prosper with tourism through the new millennium.

Puerto Montt, Chile

The original settlement of Puerto Montt was named for the Chilean President at that time, Manuel Montt and dates back to 1853, when Vicente Perez Rosales and a group of  German immigrants decided to colonize the densely forested region around Lake Llanquihue. When train service arrived in the early 20th Century, the city really took off and became a popular stop for travelers between Magallanes and Chiloé. The city was ruined, and then rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake. Not surprisingly, given its nautical setting, Puerto Montt has recently grown into a major fishing and fish industry port known for its salmon. 

Valparaiso, Chile

Situated about 120km (72 miles) northwest of Santiago, Valparaiso is the second biggest city in Chile and the Capital of the Region.

In 2003 Valparaiso was declared a World Heritage Site, due to its historical importance, natural beauty, original architecture and layout.

You will find many funiculars, known as 'ascensores' throughout Valparaíso. These are a way for local people to be taken to and from their homes high up in the picturesque hillside neighborhoods. Some of the 'ascensores' where built as early as 1883. These are a must do when you visit the city as you will get to see some amazing views from them as you go up.

Muelle Prat (Prat Wharf) can be found at the foot of the Plaza Sotomayor, the main square of Valparaíso. Muelle Prat is the only wharf where the public can closely watch the loading and unloading of the ships from a safe distance (if that's your type of thing). You will find a typical handicrafts market at this wharf and boat trips around the harbor can also be taken from here.

Arica, Chile

Arica is in the Northern Chile. It is a seaside resort town (170,000 pop): quiet, relaxed, safe, with several nice beaches and sun virtually every day of the year. The city of eternal spring is the northern gateway to Peru and Bolivia.

Arica spreads out at the foot of El Morro Hill, the site of a major battle of the Peruvian War (1879-83). Today, the hill is a national historic monument, complete with an open-air museum. The summit of El Morro affords excellent panoramic views, which survey the city, the ocean, and even the distant Atacama. Among adventure travelers, the city is best known as the starting point for excursions into the Atacama Desert. 

The Museo Arqueologicò San Miguel de Azapa, located a short distance out of town, gives an excellent introduction to the history of the area. Among its most fascinating exhibits are a collection of Incan mummies, whose bodies were perfectly preserved in the extraordinarily arid sands of the forbidding Atacama.
Also of interest in Arica is the San Marcos de Arica church, designed by the famed tower-builder Gustav Eiffel. 

 

Reporto

As a child I remember myself dreaming of travels to the most distant parts of the world. Growing up, nothing seemed that this dream could become reality. However, I knew that this , one way or another would happen. Maybe because the… "Never is too late for anything", is an attitude for me.   Since travels were limited and always in line with my job leave, the only travel left was the mental journey. The National Geographic magazine adorn at least four double shelves in my library since the collection was started by the first issue was released in Greece until today. I traveled with them in remote places of the world; I have met specific cultures and have seen very close the biggest, smallest, strangest animals ... How far you can travel by dreaming...

 Over the years, another great love was growing slowly but steadily. My love for the sea. From summer to summer and weekend to weekend, the sea came to be almost unique destination, solid escape from routine. It was the place where I could reach the closest point to my real self. Near the sea I become a better person. Near the sea I can see everything more optimistic. Near the sea I can create. Near the sea I dream like nowhere else...

 “Conspiring universe”. This is the only way I can explain how my life has changed so drastically and now I can travel often and getting know what all those years I was dreaming of, through the sea routes. Traveling is no longer just a holiday but part of my daily life. A beautiful daily round full of all the shades of blue ocean and sky, smelling the sea and almost tasting the salt.

 These travels are not tourist ones. Besides, I never consider myself as a tourist. I didn’t want just to visit different places. I wanted to see the world, to see different things, neighborhoods, people, cultures, habits, commonness ... Of course it is also interesting to visit popular places, to get a picture with them and learn firsthand their history. Personally, I’m more interested in the diversity of what we already know. What I mean is, if someone visits Greece, can see some of the most beautiful places on the planet. Our islands, our archaeological sites, our history and our cities. Who would not be thrilled by a walk in Plaka, a performance at the Herodion or move around in Thisio and get on a wonderful ramble to the Acropolis? Who can deny that if you visited Greek islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes will be filled with images that will remember all his life?

 But that's not all. Honestly, living in Greece in the 21st century, what a tourist sees does not representing correctly the original picture of the country.

The same of course applies to all countries in the world. There are always places for tourists and somewhere hidden behind them is the commonness of people, which, personally, I find much more interesting...

 In these few years of traveling, I have filled with videos and photos many hard drives and countless memory cards. I knew at some point I would like to talk about all of them. This is my archive, and I consider it as granted.

 From now on, with my camera on hand, we will travel all together.

Bon Voyage