NH Ciudad de Santiago

... it's like 1,5 hours by car to these mountains. There weren´t any specific buildings here that I wanted to explore so I´ve mostly just been walking around, exploring randomly. There are two very good viewpoints that I visited on Cerro Santa Lucia and Cerro San Cristóbal. I think they are equally worthwhile visiting.<br><br>Unfortunately the teleférico on Cerro San Cristóbal is not in use currently so I just got the funicular to the top, stopping off at ...

... queue of people ready to open doors for them. However, I have to say, that my later experiences of Chileans, airport staff excepted, are that they are a people generous of spirit and always prepared to help.<br><br>Our first visit was to the Parque Metropolitano de Santiago in San Cristobal, a large hill on the top of which is a very large statue of The Virgin that overlooks the city. The climb is nearly 900m, nothing to us hardened trekkers but, not wishing to wear ...

... The hostel had a BBQ on the first night which was really nice. Never had pork so juicy and tender. Wine was cheap as well. Had a wander up the hill with the virgin mary on the top. Its steep so you have to get a tram up to the top. The view was pretty impressive but like last time it was obscured by the smog so you couldn't really see too far. Had a wander around Bellavista afterwards. Really nice place. Lots of brightly painted houses and shops. Not been up to much today ...

... one of the best that we´ve stayed in....warm atmosphere... pool table... roof top patio, just an alround enjoyable and secure place to park ourselves in a wild city of 6+ million people. As the sun lowered on another day we enjoyed a few quite ales and some fine vino tinto with an array of travels... some for Australia, norway, sweden, england, US etc. For dinner which is very unlike us we tried for the first time some Empanada´s... bit like a parstie... but heavier pastry and ...

... sights, and trying to adjust to being fourteen hours behind Australia. Today we again pack up and leave for the beachside towns of Valpraisio and Vina del Mar, where the primary task is to seek out some spanish classes and set about learning and understanding this lovely spanish language that we find ourselves surrounded by, and relaxing by the beach. Life is sweet, but is going to be even sweeter by the beach!

... for the beginning of April. After a visit to Uruguay, we will head up through the Iguassu falls and on to Rio. We have initially booked our flight back home for the 28th April. This will then get us home for the Bank Holiday weekend and loads of BBQ's and beers!! (Get the Barbie ready Suzie!!). This will then also allow us time to hopefully visit my Sister in Malta - if they are still there!!! That will then complete 11 months of travelling - it's gone soooooo fast!

... wandering the hills of Valparaiso as it is easy to get confused as to which valley your hostel is on. - Watch out for pollution when thinking of swimming in the sea near big cities. - Knowing some spanish is a great way to save money as you can ask the locals for advice - Chileans are very friendly. - New Year's in Valparaiso - the port seemed to have the biggest party.

... simple task took me bloody ages, mainly because I had to go and buy some blank discs from up the street! <br><br>With the new discs in my hand, I ploughed through the blog uploading photos. This is always a bit but it needed to be done because I don't know what the PCs will be like in South America. I think it's better to make ...