It’s spring in the other half of the world and last month we traveled north to La Serena and the Elqui Valley. Both places sit at the southern end of the Atacama Desert, the driest place in the world, So green isn’t the most ever-present color in the area. But in the valley floors where streams and rivers might flow – green is everywhere.
The northernmost vineyards in Chile are found in the Elqui Valley. These are the grapes which are crushed, fermented and then distilled into Pisco, a brandy-like elixir.
A big surprise for us was discovering papaya is grown here. Grown on the steep sides of the mountains you identify them by their dark green color.
September is bud break time for grape vines.
As you drive closer to the Argentina border you leave the vineyards behind and enter into areas where the most green you may find is on a road sign.
woolyandraeski 
Your greens sure stand out nice. I really like your entry this week. 🙂
Thanks Cee. I wanted to go with something a bit different. Parts of the Atacama has never had rain recorded since Chile has been settled by man. Green is very rare there. The southern end is the wet part where maybe an inch of rain may fall in a year.
Hola. Did you visit the San Jose mine where the 33 miners where rescued?
No, we haven’t done that.
That is so beautiful! I love the contrast between the green and the red landscape.
Love your photos of open trails thru canyons & mountain ranges, endless roads that seem to go forever to unexplored places. Thanks for sharing.
It’s a very unique area. Imagine that, papayas growing in the driest desert in the world!
Congratulations! I have selected your post to be featured on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge.
http://ceenphotography.com/2014/10/28/cees-fun-foto-challenge-bare-feet-andor-shoes/
I hope you are having a wonderful week.
Thank you very much Cee. It’s a great week so far. Testing at the Naval Academy here in Chile is over and we are wrapping up our contract for the year. Then we’re off to Southern Chile and Torres del Paine and then returning home sometime in January or February.
Oh have a lot of fun. 🙂
A lovely collection of contrasting colors with greens…Impressed ! And congrats on being the featured Blogger… On Cee’s Fun Foto challenge . 🙂
Beautiful greens and what you have said about the sign post is so true:)
Thank you for the kind comment. In the past I have worked with many Indians. A few weren’t so nice but by far the vast majority have been a pleasure to work with. Some have become my friends and because of them I will visit your great country one day.
Thank you for the kind comment.
Those spots of green are vivid; the contrasts are stunning.
Thank you Cindi. In many ways the Atacama Desert resembles Death Valley. The colors in the hills, spots of green where water is to be found, and the solitude I sometimes seek.
Congratulations! on being one of Cee’s featured bloggers.
Thanks.
beautiful! i love the contrast, physically and symbolically. So often in the northern hemisphere do we forget that the southern half of the world is experiencing the opposite season. thanks for the glimpse of spring!
Thanks Megz. Spring is my favorite time of year.
Thanks Cee. We’re glad we were able to show people that accent colors are nice too. 😉
You are welcome.