San Pedro de Atacama and Iquique's ghost towns

Arriving in San Pedro de Atacama, we take it easy on the first day and use the time to get a first feel for Chile. Conclusion: it's expensive here! The following day, we visit the largest geyser field in the world. We leave at 4 am and reach the field around 5:30 am to watch the sunrise. We learn a lot of interesting facts about the formation of geysers and their different types and associated dangers. Unfortunately, we have to cut the tour short because one of the participants felt incredibly sick (probably due to the altitude), and we had to drive back to San Pedro towards the hospital. In the afternoon, we take a short nap before heading to Valle de la Luna to see the sunset. Valle de la Luna is named that way because it resembles a lunar landscape, and indeed, it feels like being on a different planet. The valley is covered with a white cocaine... uh, salt layer. For many years, salt was also mined here, so we can visit an old small salt mine as well. But suddenly, a storm is brewing, and we have to quickly get back on the bus. Lightning strikes the well-conductive salt floor every second. It starts hailing, and pouring rain turns the streets into rivers. We are in the driest desert in the world and managed to experience the only rainy day, but the sight is gigantic. Back in San Pedro, everything is flooded, there is no electricity, and apart from quickly eating at the bakery, the only option we have is to sleep. The next day, we continue our journey. We want to visit the mines of Calama on our way to Iquique. But unfortunately, as we learn, nothing in Chile is possible without a prior booking/reservation. The next available date would be in two weeks. So we have no choice but to continue directly to Iquique, to the sea, as we are becoming fed up with the altitude. Upon arrival in Iquique, we start a nocturnal search for a free hostel since we didn't book in advance. Very unusual. When we find one, we can finally fall into the uncomfortable beds and sleep. Iquique turns out to be a tourist destination for locals. The beaches are extremely crowded, and it's very busy. But we're not discouraged by that and enjoy the first beer with flavor in a long time. (I'm so looking forward to a Schlenkerla)

The following day, we move to a cozy hostel and visit the Esmeralda, a three-masted ship replica from the time of the saltpeter wars. It sank during the blockade of Iquique back then. On the last day in Iquique, we visit the ghost town of Humberstone. Our expectations are not high, but they are far exceeded. It would be perfect for shooting a horror movie at night or a Western during the day. The town looks like it was suddenly abandoned yesterday. Full of empty rows of houses, tools, and even old trains and wagons that can be climbed, you can find your own way through the ghost town. At the end of the main street, you reach the old saltpeter works where you can still see old steam engines, train wagons, and the huge chimney. Unfortunately, we don't have enough time to visit a second ghost mine, and we have to go back to Iquique to catch our bus to La Serena. The ghost town was really interesting, and exploring it on our own with climbing and crawling was incredibly fun. All in all, very impressive.

Until soon with news from La Serena, our next stop.

Greetings Max and Marius