Santiago Hotels
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Sunny Santiago
Entry 12 of 72 | show all | print this entry |
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Thankfully, this time waking up at 5 a.m. for our flight was actually right and we did not need any early morning check-in`s to an airport hotel to sleep off our hangovers.
So we have moved onto a new country, adios Peru, buenas dias Chile, and started off in the capital Santiago.
After landing and standing in the wrong immigration line for half an hour we finally got out of the airport into a taxi to our new abode, Andes Hostel. The place itself was pretty decent for a hostel and the guy on reception was very helpful, even though at first he questioned whether we were brother and sister because we both had the same surname (as even in marriage the woman maintains her maiden name here in Chile, plus her married name). I then reasoned we were in a matrimonial room (double bed - not honeymoon suite) so the likelihood of being brother and sister was pretty low, plus the difference in height and hair colour may have been a giveaway.
We had a walk around the city in the afternoon, doing the normal routine of finding the Plaza des Armas and then checking out the side streets to get our barings, then stumbled across a place that sold about 50 different varieties of ice cream, no questions asked we were in there for a late lunch. Helen ordered a four seasons which consisted of a plate with four sections containing 1) pancake filled with apple topped with vanilla ice cream 2) brownie topped with chocolate ice cream 3) waffle with honeycomb ice cream and finally 4) strawberries on meringue. Needless to say she was suitably satisfied (and recommends this chain of shops to you Rita - cakes !!!) then we had a nap before heading out for the evening, but not before I managed my first haircut of our travels by a gay hairdresser in a Loreal Professional salon, but the less said about that the better.
That evening we walked to the Bella Vista area of Santiago notably the street Pio Nono which is were all the bars spill out onto the street and everyone watches the world go by whilst sipping on 1 litre beers. We found a great courtyard place in this area and a bar (Backstage) that sold 150 varieties of beer (including an Austrian one for $250 a bottle)
and even Strongbow Cider, so we sat back and supped a few drinks whilst eating a 1/2 metre long pizza between us - bliss !!
The following morning after a late (well 11 a.m.) rising, we followed some lonely planet advice and set out for brunch at a place called Cafe Melba for eggs benedict, in what we believed to be the financial district. We decided to try out the tube which was very good indeed, fast, clean and a train every 5 minutes even on a Sunday, though I disputed the fact that it was a real Subway as the trains were somewhat bizarrely running on tyres ??
After brunch which was very good (thanks lonely planet) we got the tube back and walked up Pio Nono to go up to San Cristobal which is a section of the Andes that juts into Santiago city.
We took the fernicular railway to the top where there was a statue of the Virgin Mary, a chapel and lots of TV/radio ariels which somewhat spoilt the whole thing. It was definitely worth going up to see the city from above and see the sprawling metropolis, but as you can see from the pictures it wasn`t quite as spectacular as Rio.
At the top we could then get the telerifico (cable car) across to a different section of the mountain. It was about 32 degrees that day, so realistically these were little more than flying greenhouses and we were literally dripping as we exited the at the Station Oasis, a bit like Mike B after eating an apple.
A couple of cold SOFT drinks and we headed back on the cablecar stopping halfway to check out a wine museum, which wasn`t a museum of sorts but more of an exhibition of the wineries of Chile (so this helped us to decide which ones to go to when we return to Santiago), the place itself was impressive though and would have made a great venue for a party.
That night we went back to the same courtyard and this time ate at a Moroccan restaurant (we haven`t been that adventurous on the local foods, but then again we have been getting the odd day were we haven`t been feeling to hot in that department) which was good. Then back to the same bar for some Strongbow and Kunstmann (read correctly please, it had me confused and my pronunciation to the barman wasn`t great) lager.
Up early again the next morning for our flight to Temuco and to pick up the car for our drive around the Chilean Lake District to see some volcanoes.
I am actually writing this in the Lake District currently, but we are a bit behind on the blogging and have some spare days now to update the blog. Until then.....caio
Latest Comments (4)
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Chile, Chile show us your willy! (reply)
Feb 5, 2008 11:49 EST by snotface
I'm so behind with your blogs!! Internet has been playing up due to the windy pops round here, wondered if you might have been eaten by guinea pigs who heard you were going to eat them , wouldn't blame them!!!!
Poor Maude, who would want to be Alexs sister I ask you!! (joke)
Still sounds like you guys are having an amazing time (even though Alex has inherited the same tard genes ... show all
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Tips in Santiago (reply)
Feb 2, 2008 12:41 EST by jarrettalane
Hey guys,
Just to be safe I may have to copy some of your things to do in Santiago when we get there. Rio was great didnt get to do the Hang Gliding, figured there wasnt a purpsoe since I couldnt see the city since it was covered in fog and rain. It rained most of the time we were there. Off to Florianoplis (the south of brazil) to enjoy some more beaches. Bad thing is the town just go... show all
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Chile, Chilli but definitely not Chilly!!! (reply)
Feb 2, 2008 12:24 EST by sparklybarkly
Glad to hear you are still on your quest to find 'Bow' outlets round the world Maud and as far as the food goes do you have enough packets of that well-known wonder drug Imodium?
We have had snoe and hail here so your flying greenhouses would have been great.Looking forward to your next blog. Ma xxxx
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Not as chile as it is here! (reply)
Feb 1, 2008 14:42 EST by therickards
Santiago seems quite a pleasant place. Glad to hear you are continuing to be up and about bright and early!
We have noticed that there is still a strong emphasis on Food and Drink in these reports.
You should call it 'round South America in 80 restaurants'
Dad
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