Follow Me~

On By cindy knokeIn Conservation, Flowers, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, Patagonia, REVERIES, TRAVEL REVIEWS


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~

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301 thoughts on “Follow Me~”

  11. 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.

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    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.

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    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.

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  15. 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.

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  23. 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.

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  27. 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.

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  30. 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.

    Reply

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