Chile and Easter Island

Ian Wright's journey down the length of Chile takes him from the driest desert in the world to the southern-most point before the Antarctic Ocean. Nearly three thousand miles of stunning countryside encompass a vast and beautiful country with a variety of terrains and climates. The scorching aridity of the Atacama Desert is a great preserver of history and Ian sees beautiful hillside geolyths made hundreds of years ago and ancient mummies, their glossy black hair still neatly braided. From the northern desert where the Ilama farmers continue their forefather's ways; to the modern technology of the largest telescope in the world. From Santiago Ian continues south to Temuco on a luxurious wood paneled 1930's train to visit the indigenous Mapuche Indians who still struggle to retain their own language and identity in their on-going fight against Chilean colonization. Nearing the end of his trip, Ian flies north to Robinson Crusoe Island, named after Daniel Defoe's famous novel. Finally, two thousand miles west of Santiago, Ian ends his journey on Easter Island, the most remote inhabited place on earth.