Vacation in the North

This February—summer in the Southern Hemisphere—we took a family vacation to the North of Chile. We wanted a change of scenery from the South where we usually go. Here are some photos of the trip:

Copiapó: mining town 500 miles (800 km) north of Santiago

Mina San José: where the 33 Chilean miners were trapped and later miraculously rescued

Note from a miner telling rescuers that all 33 of them were fine

Parque Nacional Nevado Tres Cruces: Though mining is more prevalent than tourism in and around Copiapó, this hidden gem of a park afforded us sights like multicolored mountains, salt flats with flamingoes and indigenous goatherds.

Caldera: fishing port one hour from Copiapó where we strolled through the market and savored chupe de jaiba (crab stew).

Vallenar: where we stopped for lunch on our way to La Serena. I wouldn't mind moving here for a quieter life.

La Serena: More famous for its beaches, it also has a plaza, a market and Japanese gardens (Jardín Japonés). 

As the sun sets on the neighboring port of Coquimbo, we reluctantly turn in; the five-hour journey home ahead of us the next day.