HOW TO LIVE EASTER IN SOUTH AMERICA

Each country has its traditions and ways to live Easter. In South America, usually they have a religious tradition and is celebrated with great devotion the festivities. Many of them held processions similar to those made in Spain.
In each country there are some places that are more traditional in how they live this time so important to the Catholic world.

In Peru the most famous are in the Colca Valley, Cusco and Puno.
In the Colca Valley in Peru are ready to welcome visitors during this time.
The 14 districts of the valley live in faith and realism Easter from Palm Sunday to Easte;, it is days of great significance for Catholics, hence the festivities and activities taking place mean a major attraction for visitors There altars in the streets, processions of which you might participate.

The Colca Valley is a place that has impressive attractions such as the Cruz del Condor, a place that you can not miss.

In Cusco begins with Palm Sunday reminding Jesus,  Monday is dedicated to Lord of the Earthquakes and so on throughout the week with different ceremonies, ending with Easter Sunday where they celebrate Easter solemn Masses.

In Puno one of the major celebrations during Easter is to climb the hill most important of all, (Calvary) to apologize, recommend and offer incense in a brazier on behalf of the entire family that offers. That's why many people climb the sacred mountains of the city as are the Azoguini and Huyna Pucara. In the Taquile Island, the Mulsina, any height is considered advisable to ask for forgiveness.

In Colombia is celebrated in a special way and with the same fervor with which the Spanish conquerors brought the Catholic religion.
For eight days, the festivities take place where parishioners are involved in staging the great mysteries of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, through different ceremonies that reflect not only beliefs but also the social and cultural history of each Community.

The most famous celebration is taking place in Popayan, whose traditions, rituals and expressions date back to colonial times.
Another of the most traditional celebrations and ceremony is performed in Mompox, relic village 250 km from Cartagena. Antique jewels of religious art, guarded by the families and treasures, are displayed in colorful processions. Mompox is a National Monument and World Heritage Site for its colonial beauty.

In Argentina, celebrates Easter with processions, Via Crucis, theatrics that recall the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Among the most important celebrations are highlighted in northwestern Argentina, mainly in the provinces of Salta and Tucuman. There, resurge Spanish customs with the most traditional "shrines" made with fruits, leaves and seeds, that represent the different Stations of the Cross and adorn the main streets.

In the province of Jujuy in locations that stand out in the celebrations are Tilcara and Yavi Tilcara where the celebration begins on Ash Wednesday with the pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Copacabana, the arrival can only be done on foot after a long day walking 14 kilometers on the road, accompanied by bands of sikuris, where the pilgrims take down the image of the Virgin to the town.

In Bariloche at this time the city is on the sweet side: the chocolate, where you will have an intensive program of activities, concerts and other attractions. On Friday, the argentineans receive the first 100 visitors arriving by the road with gifts made by best local chocolatierst. Every year, a giant egg is the first prize. This tradition has been celebrated over a decade at the roadside entrance of Bariloche.

In Chile as in much of the Latin world, Easter is a special opportunity to experience the cultural traditions anchored in popular devotion.
In San Pedro de Atacama the celebrations are considered among the most picturesque of Easter in the Chilean Altiplano, characterized by syncretism between the Quechua and Aymara tradition and Catholic evangelization,stand out processions of San Pedro de Atacama and the Spanish Cross of Chiu Chiu. While in San Pedro images of Mary and John leave on  Friday from the church built in 1744, and in Sunday is the turn of the risen Christ. In Chiu Chiu, indigenous features saints walk through the streets in the Via Crucis on Friday. Outside of the traditional adobe church Toconao, the fire is lited on Saturday night, awaiting the resurrection with the blessing of light.

Valparaiso celebrates one of the traditional Stations of the Cross on the hill Placeres, which is more than 50 years on  Friday at 19 pm.

And in the capital, Santiago, on the slopes of the foothills, is the monastery of the Benedictines with a modernist building that was declared a National Monument, celebrates the Thursday (19:30 hours) the Last Supper with the traditional washing of feet. Also in the capital, a classic which involves a large number of attendees, is the Easter Mass at the Shrine of Cerro San Cristobal, on Sunday morning.

Chiloe Island
And the Chiloe Island, across the channel Chacao, the community gathers to celebrate Easter with the same dedication and devotion they take care of their temples, 16 have been declared World Heritage Site. In Achao, the Via Cucis greets visitors to integrate the procession following the fabulous colonial policromoda size of the Christ of the church of Santa Maria.

Use of the Credit Card in Chile

When we want to have a carefree journey one of the important things is the credit card you carry.

The best way to pay abroad is by credit card because it is not advisable to walk with a lot of cash, the exchange rate used is the official.

There are places that accept them and others not, or we may have problems with the magnetic stripe, or get lost or stolen, or just want to take money with the card from the  ATM andi t is out of money or doesn’t accept type your card. This reason you should take more than one credit card.

Credit cards are accepted in Chile: Visa, MasterCard, Diners and American Express. In all big cities is acceptable to use credit cards to pay as much to get cash from an ATM, but in rural and remote (excluding the most touristic) is harder to find an ATM or the card may not be accepted .

If you have any problems with your credit card in Chile should contact the following numbers for asístanse:

American Express 800 201022
Visa 6317003
Master Card 6317003
Diners 232000

More informtion in www.i-southernworld.com

ENJOY THE REGION OF THE ARAUCANIA

With a sinuous geography this region offers a variety of natural attractions such as national parks, hot springs, ski resorts, volcanoes, fishing, canopy tours, kayaking, museums, archaeological sites and other attractions. The area of Villarrica and Pucon are the ones that have been developed and where you can also do many activities

The National Parks are Conguillio Tolhuaca Huerquehue and Villarrica all  possible to be visited throughout the year.

In the Villarrica volcano is the largest ski center in the area, Pucon, allowing you to ski between July and September, to participate in all activities of the ski resort, snowboard championships, and the snow festival.

You also find excellent hot springs, an activity that your family can enjoy outdoors all year round. The best known are the Geometricas, that take advantage over sixty streams and twenty wells to choose of hot water pools located in the native forest of the Villarrica National Park.

For trekking lovers there are many circuits to do in Conguillio, Huerquehue, Nahuelbuta,Tolhuaca, the reserves of Alto Bio Bio, Villarrica or Malalcahuello.

The Villarrica Volcano is one of the most active in Chile, where its last eruption was recorded in 1984 and the surrounding landscape, the Araucaria forest has not lost its beauty. Offered in the winter for  skiing and in summer to climb to the summit and see the crater of the volcano with aan impressive view.

The area of Villarrica and Pucon, is a place where you can go fishing between wonderful and inspiring views on the river Tolten with its crystal clear water. Trouts and salmon are struggling to catch your fishing rod. This river passes through narrow gorges, forests and fields with a view of smoking volcanoes with eternal snows.

There are still some towns that let you know more about the culture of the ancestral ethnic Mapuche. Until February 24 is the  Traditional Mapuche Fair at Villarrica. In Pucón, is the Mapuche Museum, we recommend to visit at: www.museomapuche.cl

Accomodations: To enjoy an excellent stay near Pucon and Villarrica we recommend the Hotel Antumalal, which lis located between Villarrica and Pucon overlooking Lake Villarrica with a breathtaking view and surrounded by the most beautiful gardens in the area.

Where to Eat? It's a dining area that has developed many restaurants both in Villarrica and  Pucon, to enjoy a good meal.

EASTER ISLAND CELEBRATES - TAPATI RAPANUI

Easter Island has an area of 164 km2, and is known as one of the most isolated inhabited islands in the world that celebrates the first two weeks of February the party known TAPATI.

Each family group must perform a series of tests to add points to the queen candidates. These tests and competitions such as the Vaka ancestral skills such as Tuai, Takona, Riu and others make it a great show of Polynesian culture.

Recreate traditional Polynesian boats, sail dressed as ancient Rapa Nui, there are body painting skills showing the range that they occupied in society. Music is an important part of this party, are created alliances that interpret the ritual songs that tell stories and legends.

Some tests require physical dexterity, one of the most talked about is the Haka Pei when audacious young men with their bodies painted, throw down on banana trunks at high speed on the slope of a hill.

There are many activities taking place in these two weeks, so it is important that if you want to live this experience make your reservation in advance, since the island is usually full with visitors who want to celebrate along with the islanders.

Fire in Torres del Paine National Park

FINAL REPORT: PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC, Sebastian Piñera

11.00 HOURS

- So far there are over 12 000 hectares affected by fire in the Torres del Paine National Park.  1 / 3 of them corresponds to native forest, and 2 / 3 to grasslands and steppe.

- There are 753 brigades working to control the fire.

- There are 6 focus of fire, 4 of which are in the process of control, though it is possible that they can expand again, due to strong winds.

- The other 2 focuses are not expanding, but we must work still in its control.

- The Government is preparing for and taking all measures to partially reopen the Torres del Paine National Park from Wednesday January 4, if conditions remain as now or improved.

- The reopening will begin in the northern sector of the park: Laguna Azul, Laguna Amarga, Campamento Cuernos, Campamentos Seron, Campamento Los Perros. In the first instance, willbe reopened from 100,000 to 150,000 hectares, where there is a greater flow of tourists.

- All this is intended to maintain as a normal tourist season.

- The Government will place special emphasis on protecting the flora and fauna in the Torres del Paine National Park.

Experience the wonderful opportunities Explora has to offer in Chile

The mysterious and fascinating Easter Island, the vast beauty of the Atacama Desert and the magical sensation of being one with nature in deep Patagonia are the three destinations you can choose and experience with Explora Hotels. A opportunity that presents the visitor with an in-depth exploration of the amazing surroundings in a relaxing and “luxury of the essential” service.

While visiting the driest desert in the world the Atacama Desert, you can stay in Explora´s Hotel de Larache, a beautiful place that has even won architectural prizes. It has a patio area totaling 1,700 meters2 (18,298 feet2) and 50 rooms housed in three long buildings. Here you can relax and enjoy the calm view of the sand dunes, the majestic and vast skies by night –Explora has the most powerful amateur telescope in Chile- or embark in more than 50 explorations available that include horse rides and walking trips.

If you choose Patagonia as your destination, Hotel Lodge Salto Chico is waiting for you to relax and experience this lush part of Chile. Inaugurated in 1993, the hotel is located on the banks of the waterfall Salto Chico and has more than 50 ample and inviting rooms. Here, with the help of Explora highly trained guides you can do activities that include horse rides and walking explorations where you can see the imposing view of the Paine Massif and connect with nature and its elements.

Finally is beautiful and magical Easter Island, a place that needs no introduction. With its enigmatic Moais, fascinating Rapa Nui culture, Easter Island is known among other things for being one of the most remote places on earth. Myths and Legends are a common thing on this island, but is part of the many charms you will find while visiting places like the Moais quarries for example. Here you can stay at Explora´s Posada de Mike Rapu a hotel lodge that opened in 2007 and located on a hill in the Te Miro Oone area, overlooking the ocean. Activities include horse, bicycle and sea explorations, walking trips, and snorkeling among many others.

Easter Island

The programs Explora has to offer in Atacama and Rapa Nui start from 3 nights. Patagonia starts from 4 nights.

Argentina’s Seven Wonders

If you are planning a trip to South America, but specifically to lovely Argentina, then the following list should prove useful. The Argentinean magazine LUGARES has selected seven places that you can’t miss when you visit the country of Tango and good football.

At number one is the Iguazu falls a must see for any person that loves nature and spectacular vistas in an environment filled with lush vegetation. The falls are currently in the race to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World, so this should be on the top of the list of almost everyone that travels to Argentina. The falls have 275 drops of water making this destination an unforgettable sight.

Here you can stay at the wonderful Posada Puerto Bemberg.

Next up is the Glacier Perito Moreno in the province Santa Cruz. Its located in the National Park Los Glaciares, just in front of the Magellan’s Peninsula and at 80km. from the Calafate village. It has been in the World Heritage Site list since 1981 and has a height of 60 meters and a solid ice surface of 257 square kilometers. Here you can find quality hotels with a defined local identity like EOLO, Casa Los Sauces and Los Notros, and enjoy the wonderful experience of being in this majestic place.

The third destination is Valle de la Luna, located in the San Juan province and declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. The park has 275.369 hectares and is considered a paleontological reserve of world importance. The place offers a beautiful landscape without vegetation, but with a wide array of colors in the soil.

The fourth destination is the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a narrow mountain valley located in the province of Jujuy. It has 155 kilometers in length and in 2003 it was selected a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

At number five is the Los Alerces National Park in the Chubut province. The park was created in 1937 to protect the alerce forest and other type of flora present in the zone. It has the largest alerce forest in Argentina –the alerce are one of the longest living trees and can reach heights of 19 to 22 meters-.

Sixth is the Talampaya in la Rioja –the Argentinean version of the Colorado canyon-, declared by UNESCO a World Heritage site in 2000 and at number seven is Salinas Grandes, a vast and extraordinary salt field that expands 212 square kilometers.

For more information regarding South America, please visit www.i-southernworld.com