iquique.

Last week we decided to take advantage of the 3 day weekend and we headed up to Iquique (e-key-kay) for a mini vacation.

We arrived here late Thursday night.


Friday morning we woke up early and set out to see the city.


The weather was perfect with the temperature in the mid 70s.
Too cold to get in the water, but perfect for strolling the boardwalk...


and playing in the surf.


We walked through a little zoo




with turtles


and crocodiles


and llamas(?). It's Chile--things don't always make sense.


Aren't these the the cutest little faces?!
I think so.






The people I love the mostest.


Carly's giving a peace sign and saying "Whiskey!" It's what Chileans say instead of "Cheese!" Appropriate? Probably not. Funny? Absolutely!


Then, I slipped on these


and we had to rush here


because of this (I spared you the before picture).


I'm guessing I got about 5-10 stitches (not quite sure since they did inside sutures) and then I spent the rest of the afternoon in bed with my leg elevated--doctor's orders.


Wes took a long nap while Carly and Ammon headed to Zofri, a duty free mall, where they bought some Brazilian chocolates, American toys, and Chilean souvenirs. Later, we freshened up and headed out to dinner with some friends we ran into earlier that day.

We ate at Kiru. Hands down the best food I've had in Chile thus far.
Cool ambiance, great food, and friends. We definitely ended the night on a high note.




When we woke up Saturday the tooth fairy had paid Carly a visit during the night.


I love a toothless grin.


Two little monkeys jumping on the bed.


One fell off and bumped his head...


One little monkey jumping on the bed...
(Hey, it's not my bed so I say let 'em jump!)


More cuteness.
I can't help myself.




Then we were off to see more sites




and eat a few sweets




before enjoying a FREE sea lion show.
Now, it's no SeaWorld, but it was cute and the kids loved it.
Did I mention it was FREE?


Then it rained bird poop which was only fitting since we had just paid someone to wash our car.


We headed back to the clinic to have my wound checked and my dressing changed--doctor's orders. Then it was back to the hotel for a little more R&R.


We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening walking around Zofri and local souvenir booths and then we took the kids to a park where they had bouncy houses and a bungee trampoline.
I think Carly and Wesley would have played all night if we would have let them.








This was the bungee trampoline. It was too dark to take a video and our camera didn't get any good pictures of her in the air, but she was so amazing. She must have been at least 20 feet in the air and she loved every minute of it. I don't think I've ever seen one of these in the States, so click here to see a bungee trampoline in action.


Sunday we headed back home and since we drove in the dark the entire way up, I just couldn't stop snapping pictures. There is something so striking about the contrast between the desert and the ocean. Our Earth is cool.











Other than my boo-boo, it was a wonderful trip.
¡Nos encanta Iquique!