Mystical Chiloé

If you follow the Pan-American Highway (Ruta 5) in Chile south and west of Puerto Montt to Pargua, you can catch a ferry that crosses the Canal de Chacoa and delivers you to an island the size of Puerto Rico called Chiloé.  A long suspension bridge, known as the Chacao Channel Bridge, was slated for construction between 2007 and 2012.  However, due to funidng issues, the plans for the bridge were scuttled.  There were strong proponents for the bridge and as many opponents against it.  It is not for me to say whether the bridge would be a good or a bad thing for the Chilean people, especially the Chilotes, but I think I can safely say that the island would be different.  There is something mystical about Chiloé and it begins with the 30-minute or so ferry crossing from the mainland to the island. 

I made two separate trips to Chile in 2000 and 2002, each about a month long, and I must say that of all the places I visited, Chiloé is probably the most intriguing.  Although undeniably part of Chile, it has its own unique culture and music and architecture and tales and myths. The photographs that follow are from a 5-day stay on the island.