Saturday, May 7, 2011

Return to Chile - April/May 2011

Valparaiso


I felt quite refreseh after the 8 hour ride to Chie, Richard had had his ear chewed off by a very lovely lady and her daughter all the way, so we checked into Casa Cultour and had a relax at what seemed like Granny's house. We also had to mentally prepare for our SKYPE interview for a school in Rio.
Our bus on the 33 hairpin bends of El Caracol. The road just after the border crossing from Argentina to Chile.
We are in the High Andes here nad it was one of the most amazing, beaufiful places on earth and the most amazing road anywhere!


Some of those bends.


Our hostel in Valparaiso.
This area was settled by English and Germans and I have to say, we left some lovely architecture.


The ascensors, to help you up the steep hillsides. They give you great views over the docks and the sea.
Only two are working nowadays, but they were the two we needed.
The street

The street art in Valparaiso was amazing.


We took a scenic bus (No 612) round the hills to Vina Del Mar. A posh beach resort. They had a great archaeology museum there, and we got to see on e of the Easter Island statues - the closest we will get this holiday.
They are stunning, and much skinnier than you might expect.
Santiago
We were in Santiago for just over two days, but everything was pretty much shut - not a museum had to be had. Sunday was Workers Day, so despite the tourist 'mis'information telling us all the museums and galleries would be open, they were not and then, almost everywhere outside London, museums are shut on Mondays. Anyway, we had to make our own fun as you can see. Luckily we stayed in a gorgeous hostel, which had a room like a hotel room, and we had a duvet!


We stayed in Bella Vista, which was a really interesting area, with lots of students and street art. Also, it was one block from the funicular.


We ate at the market everyday. It cost about £3 for a two course meal, with salad, bread and drink included. This is very cheap anywhere, but especially cheap for Chile, which is as expensive as England. Delicious too.
Everyone was really friendly here, Richard had to talk all through lunch everytime.

One lovely old man tried to take this photo of both of us, but he couldn't work the camera at all. We couldn't help it but laugh when he began aiming at the ceiling!

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