We woke up early in order to get to our next national park, Parque Nacional Los Alerces Andino. The Alerce tree is the largest species of tree in South America, and the second oldest trees in the world, growing up to 230 feet tall and living more than 3,500 years. We met a fellow hiker on the bus to the park, and he stayed with us for the rest of the day. He was an interesting fellow, originally from the Ukraine, and he emigrated to Israel during the Soviet era, now working as a computer programmer. He was currently traveling through South America for several months, and he had plenty of interesting stories. He spoke Russian, Hebrew, English, and a little Spanish. We got to see an Alerce tree, and it was definitely a pleasant hike, minus the land leeches. We took an overnight bus back to Santiago, and then another bus back to Viña del Mar.
The national park was a rainforest full of lush mosses, trees, and tree ferns:
A massive Alerce tree:
A beautiful waterfall along our trail:
A park ranger explaining the park's trails to me and our Soviet/Israeli companion, Sergy.
Bird highlights: No new species for the day, but we got some more good looks at the Black-throated Huet-huet.
April 12
We didn't get back to my house until around noon, and we spent the rest of the day cleaning up and talking with my host family. It was a restful day, and I had a good time learning to be a translator between my host family and my dad. It's definitely not an easy job.
Bird highlights: We were successful in spotting a Black-chested Buzzard-eagle out the window of our bus on the way to Viña del Mar.
April 13
As it was Tuesday, I had to get back into the swing of my classes. Dad accompanied me around the city, and spent his time exploring the area while I was in class. After classes we went to the Roca Oceanica, a rocky point that has an incredible view of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. We spent some time watching the birds along the coast in Valparaíso as well. Today was also the arrival of a fleet of tall sailing ships to Valparaíso. It was a fleet of eleven vessels, each from a different country, and they are sailing around South America to celebrate the bicentennial of both Chile and Argentina. It was an amazing sight seeing them all sailing into the port, and the crowds in Valparaíso were definitely larger because of the ships.
The main building of my university, Pontifical Universidad Católica de Valparaíso:
An ascensor, the famous hill-climbing transports of Valparaíso:
A vegetable market:
One of the buildings of the Marine Sciences section of my university where I have my Introduction to Oceanography class:
Bird highlights: Silvery Grebe, Peruvian Booby, Guanay Cormorant, Gray Gull, Inca Tern, Seaside Cinclodes
April 14
I had classes morning and early afternoon, so dad had the city to himself. He watched the bands of the tall ships playing in the main plaza of Valparaíso (Plaza Sotomayor), took a boat ride around the harbor to see the tall ships, went up several ascensors, and walked around the markets. After classes, we both took a micro up the coast to Concón, where we ate fried empanadas and birded where the Aconcagua river meets the ocean.
Part of the working port of Valparaiso:
The Chilean tall ship, called the Esmeralda:
A typical fish vendor's stall including Conger Eel, Merluza, squid, and octopus:
Probably my favorite bird ever, the Inca Tern. The white lines on the face stick out like a curly mustache:
The naval bands warming up in Plaza Sotomayor:
Bird highlights: Cocoi Heron, White-winged Coot, Picui Ground-dove, Many-colored Rush-tyrant, Yellow-winged Blackbird
April 15
I again spent the day going to classes, and dad again spent the day wandering around Valparaiso. We then prepared for the busy weekend we had planned.
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