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Experience the World From Home: A Week Inspired By Chile
Over the past few weeks we’ve been sharing some ideas for worldly adventures from the home. We’re calling it the travel addicts guide to experience the world from home. I must admit that I’ve really been enjoying all the research and cooking that’s come along with this series.
So whether you are a foodie looking to cook up a traditional dish, trying to keep the kids busy, feeling up for binge watching, or passing the hours in quarentine reading, we hope you’ll find something fun here to pass the time and experience Chile from home!
Duration: 6 days
Countries: Chile – from the Atacama to Wine Country to Easter Island
Reading and Watching: Family friendly and adult audiences
Activities: Mostly geared to the whole family
Food: Easy to make, island inspired
Experience Chile From Home
This week we’re going to experience Chile from home. We visited Chile before we had kids and feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface of this vast country. Once the kids are older we’d love to travel to Easter Island, Patagonia, and Antarctica. Until then we are experiencing these places from the comfort of out own couch.
Chile is a beautiful country with incredibly diverse landscapes; from the desert and salt flats in the north, to the Pacific coast in the west, the Andes mountains to the east, and the fjords and forests of Patagonia in the south. It’s geography also includes Easter Island and claims to part of Antarctica.
With such vast landscapes and stunning scenery, it’s no wonder many people come here for hiking, mountain climbing, biking and other outdoor activities, but Chile is also a paradise for foodies, townies, and history buffs. Chile’s cities are rich with history and culture, Chiloe boasts tours through old churches, the Pacific Coast has fresh fish and seafood that is to die for, and Chile’s wine region beckons as a must stop.
Is your mouth watering yet? Brain buzzing with excitement to learn more?
Let’s sink our teeth in and experience Chile from home.
Monday - Easter Island
Easter Island sits in the Pacific Ocean over 2100 miles off the coast of Chile. It is thought to be settled by Polynesian explorers around 1200AD. Easter Island may be best known for the greater than 1000 head statues known as Moai that are prevalent across the island.
Ever since I watched the movie National Treasure and saw the Moai, “hey dumb dumb you give me gum gum”, I was mesmerized. We even went to the Smithsonian Museum to search out the Moai there and learn more about the island. Our family is looking forward to the day we can see Easter Island in person, but until then it’s spirit will live within our imaginations.
Read/Watch
Rapa Nui – a historical fiction of the history of Easter Island
Moana – on Disney+, the story of a girl who journey’s through the south pacific islands including Rapa Nui
Easter Island’s Silent Sentinels: The Sculpture and Architecture of Rapa Nui by Kenneth Treister
Activities
Make your own Easter Island Statues. I’m seriously thinking about doing this with the kids and put them in our garden in place of gnomes. 😊
I was also thinking about using homemade clay to “mold” a Moai. I feel like it would be similar to the true Moai where they really have their own personalities.
Food
Fresh tuna is expensive so I’m seriously thinking of trying this with canned!
Tuesday - Atacama Desert
There are few places in the world that I would return to over and over again, but the Atacama Desert is one of them. The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places in the world with an incredible landscape of volcanoes, mountains, salt flats, and sand dunes. Most surprisingly though are the oasises that run through the desert where trees and plants can reach underground water systems.
While in the Atacama Desert we did a lot of hiking, including a summit of Cerro Toco a volcano that reaches 18386ft (talk about altitude sickness), and star gazing in one of the most stunning dark skies in the world.
Read/Watch
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine, and the Miracle That Set Them Free by Hector Tobar
The 33 – A movie about the miners trapped in an underground mine
Activities
With some of the best dark skies in the world, the Atacama desert is a star gazers paradise. If you didn’t already download a star gazing app last week, download a free stargazer app and head outside for your own private star party. Are you in a big city where seeing the stars isn’t possible? Try making some constellations on the ceiling by ordering glow in the dark stars or create a notebook of your favorites.
Food
Risotto’s are surprisingly easy to make and relatively cheap, but they do take some patience.
Red Wine Risotto with Beef and Mushrooms
Rica Rica ice cream – If you can get your hands on these ingredients, give this delicious recipe a go.
Wednesday - Santiago and Valparaiso
Santiago is the capital city of Chile and home to a plethora of cultural museums boasting Chilean art, history, and architecture. Night brings Santiago to life as restaurants and bars open up inviting the masses to gather together, eat and be merry.
Valparaiso is a port city and a city of many many hills. Your legs will be in great shape if you tour the city on foot and you’ll feel as though you are walking uphill through mazes of streets every way to go. A lively, quirky port city that on the surface is as strange to visit as it is charming.
Read/Watch
Ways of Going Home by Alejandro Zambra
Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende (Valparaiso)
Violeta Went to Heaven – A movie about the Chilean singer Violeta Parra
No – A movie about the campaign to end Chile’s dictatorship
Activities
This website has maracas made out of gourds that could be fun. I’m thinking we might try making them out of Tupperware though! Perhaps this fall we could try the gourd method. I’m also debating how I feel about having more noise machines while being locked up with the kids…..
Food
Hot dogs and french fries Chilean style? Sounds amazing doesn’t it. Plus if you are in cost cutting right now, this meal is budget friendly.
Thursday - Casablanca, Colchagua and Maipa Valley (Wine Country)
Located in central Chile, the valleys of Casablanca, Colchagua and Maipa are perhaps most notable for their rolling hills filled with perfect rows of grape vines and orchards. Each area of Chile has slightly different soils and weather patterns, therefore; producing different grape varietals. If you are a wine lover it’s worth some research before hand to ensure you hit your favorite region.
What if I don’t like wine? Why would I come here? Honestly, even if you don’t like wine we’d still recommend spending a night or two in the area. There’s something majestic about staying at a vineyard surrounded by the rolling hills and fields while indulging in delicious cuisine. Some vineyards offer tours and have huge grounds that can be explored in your freetime.
Read/Watch
Mallmann on Fire: 100 Inspired Recipes to Grill Anytime, Anywhere by Francis Mallmann
The Wines of Chile – by Peter Richards
Wine Country on Netflix – set in Napa Valley, but who doesn’t need a laugh right now and let’s be honest wine tasting is pretty similar everywhere in the world.
Activities
Definitely not a kid friendly activity, but a great at home date night once the kids are in bed. Are you more of a white or red lover? Only have one bottle of wine? Meh. Cut up some cheese and savor in the delight of that glass. We fell in love with Carmenere when we visited Chile and this is still an activity we love to do.
Food
Yum Chilean barbeque!
Friday - Chiloé Island
Chiloé Island is located in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of mainland Chile. Ferries run between the coast and the island making it reasonably easy to get to. The island itself feels magical with a relaxed coastal air about it. It’s not surprising then that one of the highlights of visiting Chiloé is a meal of seafood in one of the restaurants on stilts off the coast.
It is also home to many historical wooden churches 16 of which are World Heritage Sites, a penguin colony and beautiful national park for those who are nature lovers, and hand knit goods. In fact, we have one of these wool blankets in our camper, it is such great quality and so warm!
Read/Watch
By Night in Chile by Roberto Bolano
The Motorcycle Diaries – A journey across South America by motorcycle
The Motorcycle Diaries: Notes on a Latin American Journey
Activities
Chiloe is famous for knitted goods. If you are stuck in the house and looking for a project this could be the time to learn how to knit! My husband learned how to crochet last year and he’s since been trying to teach our son.
Food
This meal reminds me the hot pots at Crab Shack Joes.
Chile Curanto (feast of seafood and meat)
Saturday - Patagonia
Our final stop this week is Patagonia which is shared by Chile and Argentina and makes up the southern part of the South American continent. It is an adventurer’s and nature lover’s paradise and the gateway to Antarctica. Cruises leave from Ushuaia, Argentina allowing explorers the adventure of a lifetime in a trek to Antarctica.
Many people come to Patagonia for its world-renowned hikes, horseback riding, mountain climbing, wildlife and sea tours. Here you can stay on land to discover lush green forests, fjords, and the wind-swept landscapes of the southern hemisphere or head out on a sea adventure to view icebergs and search for whales, penguins, and dolphins.
Read/Watch
In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors by Piers Paul Read
Alive – A movie about the rugby team whose plane crashed in the Andes
Activities
If you are able to get outside, head out for a hike in honor of trekking Patagonia. It can be down trails in your area or even walking through your neighborhood. Just choose a new route and explore.
Can’t leave the house? Try this science experiment with the kids to create your own compass.
Food
Possibly a save for later recipe this is one for the seafood lover.
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