Zelma’s Trip

We left Bathia Inglesia and drove back to Vicuna where we let ourselves into the campsite where we had stayed formerly. We had loved the town in Vicuna and the campsite not only had a lovely pool but beautiful views down over the town of Vicuna and the valley. It was also high enough into the mountains not to be saturated by the clouds which descended into the valley in the mornings. When we got back to Vicuna we set up the tent and then had a swim, before a nice, relaxing evening.

The following day we headed into the town, watched small children in the square and ate ice cream. We went for dinner in a lovely restaurant just off of the main square. The food was exquisite, unfortunately half way through my salmon filet I managed to get a bone stuck in my wind pipe. I managed to politely excuse myself before, rather less politely, coughing my throat raw and half choking to , in the toilets. That´s possibly slightly melodramatic but it was not a comfortable feeling to say the least. If you´ve had something go the wrong way when eating or drinking you can imagine what something being stuck the wrong way feels like. Mum was concerned and followed me to the bathroom and there was also a concerned local who went to get an English speaking friend whilst I was in the toilet. Eventually, with the assistance of bread and water, the bone was dislodged. I was grateful it was at the time it was actually as the next trick was apparently a piece of bread doused in oil….mmmmm! When I had finished choking and returned to the table we got talking to a Canadian couple on the table next to us who were in Venezuela following a rowing tour. After a chat and my recovery I drove us back to the campsite in the mountains.

On the Saturday we drove further into the Elqui valley.  The Elqui valley is one of the vineyard areas of Chile and is responsible for the grapes for the national drink of Pisco aswell as a lot of the grapes for various wines.  The drive was meant to be one of the beautiful drives in Chile and it didn´t disappoint.  The valley had stunning verdant areas at the base with tall mountains climbing up the sides and a winding road imbetween.  We headed to a place a way into the valley, which had a number of slightly uninspiring artisan stores, prior to heading to Pisco Elqui.  Although slightly touristy, Pisco Elqui was a very pretty town and we had lunch in a lovely restaurant with a Secret Garden.  The proprietor was the first person we had met in Chile who spoke fluent English.  After lunch we drove back along the valley to the campsite in Vicuna.  I left Mum and Dad reading and went into town to faff online for a while.  I was slightly surprised, and a touch put out actually, when there were actually other people at the campsite when I got back and not just us!