Islas Damas and Fray Jorge

Lorraine and I returned to La Serena on Wednesday to visit two more parks in the area.  First heading North we visited Islas Damas to see penguins, dolphins, sea lions and many varieties of birds.  We circled the islands on a small boat, stopping once to explore the smallest island by foot.  Afterward we grabbed lunch, consisting of locally-caught seafood.  It was delicious. 

Friday we went to the Valley of Enchantment, South of La Serena, where the Incas held celebrations two thousand years ago.  Their rock etchings can still be seen throughout the valley.  We then drove to Fray Jorge, an isolated cloud rain forest surrounded by desert.  The climate is profoundly different at this altitude, where clouds fill the air most of the day and unique plants, commonly found in other parts of Chile, grow wild.

 

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