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Yes please , that would do me just fine ...


Steve Ward

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That'll do, I'll get my coat !

Nick.

Before I read the link, I thought you'd told an awful joke Nick but couldn't see it!

I think I'll grab my coat too, sounds fabulous

Stu

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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I've been to Mamalluca - we brought the first rain they'd had for many years!!!  Thankfully it didn't last long and we had a great time, only tempered by being with a big group of kids who thought being up late was more exciting than stargazing!

The new offerings look just the thing though :smile:

Helen

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Been wanting to visit Chile for years for this very reason.  However, I suspect such a trip would cost more than I've ever spent on telescope stuff.  Would want to take along at least a 10 inch scope on a super sturdy tracking mount to make it worthwhile, I think.

In the meantime, I make do with the stunning images and video that come from that corner of the globe.  Found this one the other day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr6VQDCLdlk

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Been wanting to visit Chile for years for this very reason.  However, I suspect such a trip would cost more than I've ever spent on telescope stuff.  Would want to take along at least a 10 inch scope on a super sturdy tracking mount to make it worthwhile, I think.

In the meantime, I make do with the stunning images and video that come from that corner of the globe.  Found this one the other day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr6VQDCLdlk

Thanks for the link. Why not go to South Africa instead?

I'm sure it would be far cheaper than Chile, and the skies in Sutherland are every bit as good I'm sure.

I took this quick pic just outside our cosy, English run guesthouse.

post-15011-0-03387500-1398449430_thumb.j

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Honestly, South Africa scares the bejeezus out of me far more than Chile does.  I'm sure it's probably an unfair reputation South Africa has, but knowing that on an intellectual level doesn't make me more inclined to visit.

Also, Chile has the aforementioned ridiculously colossal observatories, which is in itself half the reason I want to go there.  It's like a pilgrimage for the cosmology enthusiast.  The other half of the reason is I've also always wanted to visit Patagonia for the spectacular terrain and wildlife, and I like the idea of making a holiday of travelling down the entire length of Chile to get there. 

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Honestly, South Africa scares the bejeezus out of me far more than Chile does.  I'm sure it's probably an unfair reputation South Africa has, but knowing that on an intellectual level doesn't make me more inclined to visit.

Also, Chile has the aforementioned ridiculously colossal observatories, which is in itself half the reason I want to go there.  It's like a pilgrimage for the cosmology enthusiast.  The other half of the reason is I've also always wanted to visit Patagonia for the spectacular terrain and wildlife, and I like the idea of making a holiday of travelling down the entire length of Chile to get there. 

South Africa scared me too, probably to do with the mostly negative news stories we tend to get all the time. I badly needed to see the southern skies but Aussie was too far and expensive, and South America was even more.  I was pleasantly surprised with SA in the after all and I'd definitely visit again. Landscape wise it is a stunning country.

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I believe we have some members from South Africa so it would be interesting to hear their comments  :smiley:

My son went on a 3 week working trip to the Eastern Cape region, working on a game reserve, and he had a fantastic time. He said that the people, wildlife and landscapes were amazing and he can't wait to return  :smiley:

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Never been to South Africa so can't comment, but Chile felt really safe.  I went with a female friend and we didn't once feel uncomfortable, to the extent that we hired a car and drove ourselves around the Lake district area even late at night.  Its a stunning country and the people are so, so friendly.  Trekking in Patagonia was awesome! but then walking up a live volcano and sliding back down with just an ice-axe for steering and braking was so much fun too.

We went in 2005, and the cost of hotels etc was really good value.

Helen

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Yeah, Chile (and Argentina) seems to be a very attractive place to visit for many reasons.  I said Patagonia was half the reason I want to go, but in truth, it's probably most of the reason.  Everything I've seen and heard about the place makes it seem like one of the few remaining wildernesses left on this planet, the flora and fauna there are said to be spectacular, and the terrain magnificent.  And if I can spend a night or two on top of the Andes on my journey there, all the better.  South Africa is another fascinating place, but it's not as high on my list of places to visit as Patagonia.

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As a south african colleague of mine put it "There I was, lying on the floor of my living room, hogtied with a wire coat hanger, held at gun point, whilst the little scrotes walked off with every of value for the second time in as many years when I decided to emigrate".

My next door neighbours went on holiday to south africa, only one came back, and he came back on a stretcher...

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My South African astronomy trip was fantastic!

Arrived at Cape Town about 23:00 and drove direct to Sutherland.  10 nights with tours of the SAAO and use of 14" and 16" SCTs.

Stunning sky!!!  Centre of the Milky Way directly overhead casting shadows.

The Karoo is wild :)

Returned to Cape Town in the dark and rain and flew home.

The locals were great.  The message of the story - being away from tourist areas and the big cities seems much safer...maybe.

Cheers

Paul

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Chile is great, and pretty safe as long as you aren't stupid, but that goes for anywhere and I'd say that Chile is probably a lot safer than many towns over here.

I must have been there with work at least ten times since 1996 and travelled quite widely.

I've been to SA once, in 2010, and the people I met were lovely, but the first thing I noticed after leaving Johannesburg airport was the fact that at the very least, every property had bars on the windows and barbed wire, and many had electric fences.

These defences weren't for decorative purposes only.

Clarkpm.....your trip sounds wonderful, and very tempting.

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What a great holiday that would be, however not likely for me anytime soon.

I do see the southern skies every couple of years though, but only with

the mk 1 eyeball and binoculars, as one of my daughters lives with her family,

in Melbourne Australia. A few years back we stayed in the Blue Mountains,

and those skies are the darkest I have yet seen. :smiley:

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  • 1 year later...

Hey everyone!

I'm from Chile, and yeah, all that's been said is true! I can testify. So you're all invited to down here!

We've got clear skies and lamas! And chicha and empanadas and chancho al pebre and humitas and pastel de choclo and cazuela and estofado and porotos con riendas and milcao and chochoca and chicharrón and asado al palo and mote con huesillos and chancho ahumado and the best wine and on and on and on!!!

...and the ladies...

Cheers!

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