In Calama, Florian is covered in mining dust 24/7. Santiago gets smoggy too. That’s why on weekends we often drive out in search of green trees & fresh air. This time we choose La Campana. At a distance of just 1.5h, it is the closest national park to the capital.
And it really is beautiful! Palm trees wherever you look! After a few hours hiking, we reached a quartz quarry with a waterfall, where we enjoyed our well-deserved lunch, and the views from the lookout. So far so good. Until all of a sudden a group of young Russians turned up, undressed, and started shooting porn photos in front of the waterfall, …and everyone else! It gave the word “lookout” a whole new meaning ;-) Needless to say, that Florian together with all other men at the picnic spot, stood staring at the park's unexpected new attraction. I missed out, the Russian guys kept their shirts on. Too bad. 10min later, the nude bunch was gone, as if nothing ever happened.
On the way back we passed through another shady palm grove. In the past those trees were drilled for palm syrup extraction (once every 5 years is fine, otherwise the tree eventually dies). Of course people overdid the harvesting, putting the Chilean Palm close to extinction. Today the whole valley is turned into a national park – which didn't hinder us from harvesting a yummy alternative: mini coconuts!
And it really is beautiful! Palm trees wherever you look! After a few hours hiking, we reached a quartz quarry with a waterfall, where we enjoyed our well-deserved lunch, and the views from the lookout. So far so good. Until all of a sudden a group of young Russians turned up, undressed, and started shooting porn photos in front of the waterfall, …and everyone else! It gave the word “lookout” a whole new meaning ;-) Needless to say, that Florian together with all other men at the picnic spot, stood staring at the park's unexpected new attraction. I missed out, the Russian guys kept their shirts on. Too bad. 10min later, the nude bunch was gone, as if nothing ever happened.
On the way back we passed through another shady palm grove. In the past those trees were drilled for palm syrup extraction (once every 5 years is fine, otherwise the tree eventually dies). Of course people overdid the harvesting, putting the Chilean Palm close to extinction. Today the whole valley is turned into a national park – which didn't hinder us from harvesting a yummy alternative: mini coconuts!
