Happy House Hostel Santiago

Flew into Santiago today and could immediately feel the warmth (27C). Massive change from Punta Arenas which was absolutely freezing! Santiago is flanked by the Andes but you couldn't really tell because of the smog! We had found that there was a dandiya night organised by the indian association of Chile tomorrow. Roohi and I were quite excited and today called the lady who was in charge of organising for more info, etc. We were mildy disappointed to find out that the event had already been h...

San Pedro was the border town where we changed buses and spent a few hours. A cute white-washed little town absolutely full of package tourists and western style restaurants - quite a shock after Bolivia! A tiny town next to the desert, yet every single Chilean person there seemed to speak English. We ate a huge meal and relaxed in the sun, eternally grateful for both warmth and good food. It wasn´t my favourite part of this trip to have to get straight on a 22 hour bus to Santiago after 3 da...

I don't feel very coherent this morning, so today's update will be fragmented stream of consciousness style: - I didn't plan on staying in Santiago at all, but there are no public transportation options to Farellones so I had to stay a night. - The hostel I found here, Happy House, is a strong contender for the best I've ever stayed at. It's not quite as stylish and comfortable as Miss Sophie's in Prague, and the staff isn't quite up to par with The Inn Crowd in Singapore, but it's got a pret...

Santiago!

Will update this later

Dec 19th ...we are still on a bus.... internal bodily aches return and the noisy toilet above the buses engine at the back of the bus is a welcome relief numerous times along the journey. The scenery has changed since escaping the clutches of the arid Atacama desert. We are now seeing lush green valleys and the beginnings of the wine region of this narrow country. 1,000's of hectares of organised, uniform vineyards stretching across the flat basins and up the slopes on the far side of the val...

Hello All, After four flights, five airports, 8,000 miles, and 29 hours of travel we finally arrived in Santiago (with our luggage). The city is framed by the snow capped Andes to the east and coastal hills to the west. Arrival went very easily and considering the amount of sleep we got in travel we were ready for touring as soon as we got to the city. After checking into our hotel situated in Barrio Brasil, we went out exploring on foot towards the Plaza de Armas and Castillo Hidalgo. Plaza ...

Ok, its a brief visit but i like Santiago so far! We´ve spent most of the time trying to rebook another Antarctic cruise but we did make it downstairs from our hostel (and a great hostel it is too, really, really nicely done out...i splashed out and got a single room, which actually consisted of a double bed and a single, and how nice it is to stretch out in a big bed!!, plus there´s french doors leading out to a little balcony) to a nice little restaurant downstairs where menu of the day inc...

After arriving in Santiago we were surprised at how un-typically South American it was. A very European place, we could have been in Paris or London just as easily. No dogs roaming the streets was a big and welcome change. Orla isnt too fond of the stray dogs, but they were really fond of her! Got set up in the hostel, called Happy House (our first one in an age after all the camping) and we set off to view the city. Santiago is a nice place really and it was grand to relax here. That night i...

Best Sight: Machuchu Picchu and coming in at a very close second is Christ the Redeemer in Rio. Best National Park: Big Time Torres del Paine (and half our photos are damaged on the disk!!!) Best Beach: Lopez Mendez in Il Grande Best Session: 80`s night in Loki La Paz Best Craic: NAVIMAG Best Bus Journey: has to be from Rurrenbaque to La Paz, entertatinment at its best, hen laying eggs, birds in the bus....wierd people Best Hike: W walk in Torres del Paine Best Hostel: Happy house in Santiago...