Valparaiso's Vibrant Vistas

Shelly listens to our Valparaiso tourguide

We came to this coastal Chilean city because we heard what a unique place it is on the planet . . . survivor of earthquakes and fires and sailors on shore leave.  A port city built on hills with a passion for art, love, wine, and food.  We found all that and more.  Artists in this town are busy!  They are constantly at work on giant, intriguing murals that are creative, thoughtful, whimsical, and laugh out loud funny.  Admiring them, you somehow don't notice that you are winded from climbing dozens of staircases and steep roads!  We love public art, and want to see more of it wherever we go.  Enjoy these streetside treasures.

Translation:  the heart is a weapon
the same size as your fist

Salvadore Allende, Chile's democratically
elected socialist President, still on the wall from the 1980s

Beautiful tile-covered columns near
Pablo Neruda's house

Even the car repair shops have murals!

Colorful home with an ocean theme

The high school wall next door to
Museo La Sebastiana,
 Pablo Neruda's home

One person's garage door is
another person's canvas!

Even tall apartment buildings
downtown get into the mural act

Artists at work in the Open Air Art Museum

New works coming

Just up the block from our apartment

Piano staircase

Elvis gets worked into a vegetarian protest mural

Everyone is fair game:  McDonalds gets skewered for
junk food and killing cows

Easter Island's Iconic Moai

No blog from Easter Island would be complete without some photos of the world famous "moai" ---the giant carved faces that are quite literally the face of the place.  We spent 5 days touring this very small spot in the middle of the Pacific . . . enjoying gorgeous scenery, massive volcanoes, fabulous sunsets over the ocean, and the awe-inspiring statues that put the place on the map.  Friendly Rapa Nui islanders and the lack of any schedule made this place perfect for rest and relaxation!

New Mexico Ingenuity on Easter Island

New recycled glass wall and old explorers

Long before we arrived here on Easter Island, we have been fascinated by the work of Taos architect Michael Reynolds and his Earthship Biotecture.  Click here to see his website.  Reynolds has become internationally famous for his unique sustainable architecture, buildings made of nearly entirely recycled materials from used automobile tires to used bottles, cans, and other building materials.  He creates spaces that collect rainwater for daily and household uses, and then treats the wastewater through plants and natural filtration systems.  The power supply takes advantage of natural light and stored solar power.  One of Reynolds' current projects is here on Easter Island, a free music school for the Rapa Nui children.  Concert pianist, music teacher and Easter Island resident Mahani Teave is the leader of this movement to put a music school on the island.  See her website here.  Her story is an inspirational one----she is now using her U.S. music training and concert performances to bring the gift of music to this special place.  The combination of architect Reynolds and teacher Teave, along with hundreds of volunteers and local workers, has the school off to a good start.  Shelly and I visited the school site, and were very impressed with the progress being made. It is a model for sustainable construction in places like this one with few natural resources.  We are some proud New Mexicans, knowing our state's connection to this wonderful project.   Here are some shots.

Recycled glass bottle wall brings in light and color

There are 8 classroom pods in a flower shape
on a gorgeous setting overlooking the Pacific

There were dozens of volunteers from the world over
working on the construction in late 2014--a local crew
trained by Reynolds and Earthship continues

Aluminum cans means recycling and less concrete

Creative use of glass and plastic bottles makes beautiful
and colorful walls

Used car tires add structure and strength to walls

Each classroom has beautiful natural light

A hidden water tank collects rainwater from the roof
and sends it into the water system for re-use

Another view of the hidden water tank

Tire stemwall has electrical outlets

Even the lumber has been recycled and re-used from other projects

The name of the music school:  Toki

Beautiful classroom walls, just in, from the trash bin!

Shelly demonstrates how glass and plastic are combined
to have clear glass outside, colored flowers inside

The Planet's Most Remote Inhabited Place

Arriving at the airport terminal

We made it to Easter Island!!!  2000 miles from the South American coast and 1000 miles from the nearest inhabited island, we are sitting on the most remote place from other humans on the planet.  From our porch at the La Perouse Rapa Nui Guest House, we have internet and a heck of a rain storm going on.  We landed mid-afternoon after a 6 hour flight from Santiago, and are staying in a cute small B&B on the harbor at Hanga Roa.  With a population of 6,000 persons, this is a very laid back place, ideal for resting and relaxing.  Tomorrow we will head out for the sites!  More photos soon!

A welcome beverage and fragrant leis at our guest house

Home sweet home on the island

Shelly on the front porch

Happy Easter. . . . (Island)

What better place to spend Easter week, but Easter Island????  We take off on Tuesday for this very unique corner of the world . . . 5 nights and 6 days of relaxation and soaking up the Polynesian culture, while still being in Chile.  There will be sightseeing, dining, scuba diving, and some up close and personal visits with the famous moai on the island.  Pictures and stories to come!!  Happy Easter!