3/20  Today was our tour to Isla Damas. The guide spoke no english, but we were with 2 older ladies, one of which knew some english. We drove fof 2 hours through desert mountains that bordered the Pacific. See pictures 4. If went on for as far as you could see. Rocks, sand and cactii.
Lots were for sale for 3.5 million pesos. Nothing but a small patch of desert to call your own. Only the view of the water was worth any money. It was the complete opposite of Ireland...lushious green cliffs overlooking the sea.
We saw wild mules, more guanacos and some guy who looked like Juan veldez from the coffee commercial, on a mule, herding goats.
We took a big rowboat with a small motor 5 km out to sea to the islands. See pictures 4
We saw tons of pelicans, humbolt penguins, seals (both swimming and sunning), dolphins along side the boat (swimming and jumping), and just as we were leaving the area, 2 blue whales. They are HUGE!  One even came out of the water so we could see its tail. Guess it is rare to see them. The 2 boat guys were excited too and we followed them for a little while.  After we went to another island, where we got out and went for a quick dip. It was freezing.
On the way back, we stopped for lunch...seafood empanada, salad and fish with a bread pudding and papaya jam for dessert.
We also got to see an olive plantation. It was right smack in the desert. All of a sudden there was green. See pictures 4. Amazing. We didn't stop, but the restaurant had olive trees with olives and we learned all about the olive oil process. I bought a small bottle, made right there. Only 1000 pesos.
I also learned they play futbolito on the smaller soccer fields. We saw a patch in the desert, where they were building a new house. It was not even half done, but the small soccer field was. Metal poles for goals and a dirt pitch.
I also found it interesting that every time the drive started the car, he made the sign of the cross. Works for me.
Tomorrow, relaxing on the beach here. It is only 300m to the beach. Our bus leaves at 6:15 for a 16 hour ride to San Pedro. We were joking that we are not even in what is considered the desert of Chile and it looks like this. Wonder what San Pedro will look like. I am looking forward to the Valley of the Moon.