Follow Me~


Over the rainbow,

through Tierra del Fuego,

and up the Chilean Fjords, to find the mysteries at the southern end of the earth!

In Southern Chile, in the Lahuen Nadi National Park, live the second oldest trees in the world, the endangered Alerce Trees. Although previously extensively logged, these gorgeous Alcere’s can live up to 3600 years and reach up to 120 feet in height. They have been protected by the Chilean government since 1976.

I have spent much time amongst the oldest living organisms in the world, the Bristlecone Pines in Northern California, so I had to go and see their southern sisters. Just like the Bristlecones, the Alerce’s presence is not advertised in order to protect the trees, and not many people visit here. Walking amongst them is a thrill worth traveling to the ends of the earth to experience.

This temperate rain forest region in Chile is home to the world-famous Chilean Lake District. Lake Llanquihue pictured here, is the second largest lake in Chile.

The area and the town of Puerto Varas, was settled by German colonists in an incentive program sponsored by the Chilean government from 1846-1914. Approximately 30,000 German colonists set their roots down here. This is why Puerto Varas today looks much like a town in the Swiss Alps!

The German imprint is everywhere,

especially in the beautiful gardens,

and the charming wooden homes,

with their very German interiors.

Cheers to you,

from the ethereal Chilean Lake District~

301 thoughts on “Follow Me~

    1. I am no expert so hopefully someone will weigh in if I make an error! In Chile it was a bit different in that the government actively sought German immigrants rather specifically during the mid-1800’s.

      1. Oh. That was in the 1800’s then. Correct me if I’m wrong , some Germans escaped to Argentina before WW2 ended. There was speculation one of them was Dr. Mengele.

  1. Those are some impressive photos as always but 3600 year old trees tops the list. Wow!!! I did not know that about the German colonists. Such interesting facts. Thanks for sharing the beauty of it.

  2. Hello Cindy, these are beautiful–I would like to reblog them, and the only way I can find is to use the “wordpress” button and to copy and paste. Are you ok with that? I will attribute everything and link to your site.

  3. Dahmane Thami

    Hello
    Cindy , your pictures are so beautiful in this nice place
    It is so gorgeous environment that any Master Gardener will enjoy 😊
    Thanks again for sharing.

  4. It’s really beautiful. I think I’ll have to add this my list of places to see. Also, partly b/c of my German ancestory too. It’s really neat they sponsored them to live in this part of Chili 🙂

  5. This is a beautiful area no wonder the German settlers picked it. I saw a documentary on the settlement and was very taken with how odd in looks in its surroundings. Your photos are absolutely stunning. Lovely post! 💜

  6. a touch of lush vegetation and steamy warmth.. in any of your travels, should you find a sloth, think of me… today I am wanting to imitate a sloth… =^_^= big HUGS my friend

      1. but alas I retired almost a year ago on my birthday as my mom requested as she was dying 🙁 but I could have shown you a world much different from the lovely spots you share 🙂 a dear trucker friend said he would pay for me to come out of retirement to drive with him 🙂 I told him to come sit with me and take in the beauty of my spot in the world and not work so hard lol hey loves THINGS so at 73 he is still driving I have had everything I could ever desire so I am all set with peace of mind. My hold world may turn in a new direction come fall fingers crossed 🙂 OH and if I was on the road I would have swung by and taken you for a spin by now 🙂 I never had a camera with me on those 3 million miles all work and no play.

        1. Yes. I knew you retired. I never took photos in a serious way, all the years I was working and raising kids. It’s nice now to have the time to develop our creative selves and our interests. Your art will take you places Eunice. I feel sure of it. Hugs to you my friend <3

  7. You’ve really outdone yourself this time, Cindy!! Such gorgeous photos. These gardens are an especially welcome sight, after the ice glazed my area overnight!!

    1. We are home now and we didn’t, unfortunately. My grandfather traveled as much as I do, and Easter Island was his last trip. I do hope to make it there. As they say in South America, Si’ Dios quiere~

  8. I’ve always heard Tierra del Fuego is spectacular, albeit with some pretty treacherous weather. I suspect it’s a place I will not get to, thanks for the brief tour.

    1. Yes, we have been in this region three times and we have been at sea and experienced everything the Beaufort Scale has to throw at us. It is pretty thrilling and the captain’s are incredibly skilled.

    1. Yes, England’s lake district is gorgeous. I remember it well from when I was 17 and the great thing is, it won’t have changed! My kids traveled through there a few years ago and their photos brought back wonderful memories.

  9. Wonderful grimes into this part of Chile! It is interesting to see German imprints there. It must be quite interesting to learn how people around that area have adopted some German tradition into their culture too.

  10. Stunning Cindy, what an amazing feeling it must’ve been to walk among those ancient trees. I have never heard of them before. Thank you for sharing all this beauty.

  11. That is so beautiful! I had a girl in my class in elementary school that was adopted from Chile. That was very unusual in Sweden, in the 1980. I thought sh was so beautiful.

  12. I’ve never heard of those magnificent trees. I’m delighted to know they are now protected. I would love to walk that wonderful path you’ve so beautifully captured. You travel to some of the most beautiful places, and we all get to enjoy them with your camera skills. What a lovely trip.

  13. Love love all the green Cindy– and those flowers! Exquisite! Favorite photo is the walkway through the trees. You saw so much on this trip!! Glad we’re getting to see a beautiful place we’ll probably new get to. thanks thanks. You are amazing!

  14. The pink lily in the water is my favorite.. I would love to one day travel and see such sights. The rainbow is just breathtaking.
    Thank you for sharing your journey so that I can see such beautiful sights

  15. As always beautiful photography Cindy…I love the lupins it bought back memories of my dad’s garden I had forgotten how much he loved his lupins. Thank you for following my blog 🙂 x

      1. Not sure they would grow here either Cindy but I keep the image tucked away in my memories so thank you for reactivating that memory 🙂 x

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