Dace is writing:
On the morning of June 30, we are waking up in Los Choros cabana in the desert, with no neighbors anywhere near us. The breakfast is at one of the two apartments that have been given to us. Our plan is to go to the wharf Puntos Choros and take a boat to the nearby islands to see the local wildlife. This plan is moved to tomorrow as boats are not allowed to leave due to strong winds.
We are going back, stopping by for some photos of the desert cacti fields. The cacti are really sharp. We notice a fox who is not running away, so a lot of photos of it are taken from all angles. A moment later close to the road we notice wild guanacos, the ancestors of llamas. Again, the animals are being photographed thoroughly for a while. Like everything in wilderness, they look graceful and free and self-sufficient, which makes the humans admire them.
In La Serena we fill up on the gas, but even before reaching the city, we check the 3000 km mark. Further on, we go to Elqui valley. With grape fields and wineries all around surrounded by the mountains makes a picturesque view. We pass by a dam and water reservoir full of greenish water like any mountain lake. We want to have a lunch in Vicuna. On the side of the central street there’s a restaurant where they are grilling meat outdoors – it seems attracting. The indoors is brightly and pompously colored, but we are not staying here and move on to a brewery. There our guide is a very vigorous Chilean guy, who likes to entertain people in Spanish with theatrical storytelling. His snow-white teeth are shining whenever he laughs.
Eclipse watchers have gathered in Vicuna, a colorful audience from all around the world, souvenir markets and other attractions are rustling and bustling away. On we go. We Visit Aba pisco distillery, where the excursion and the story tells about things both yet to do and already done. At the end there is a tasting and shopping for those who liked something. Here, they grow white grapes. Next we go to the Paihuano neighbourhood mountains, where the great mountain ranges are shining in the last rays of the setting sun. When the roads end, we turn back to our home in La Serena. Home, dinner and beds. This day as well has come to an end.