Valparaiso
Trip Start
Sep 02, 2007
1
142
326
Trip End
May 13, 2009
Valparaiso,
Valparaiso,
Chile
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The bus journey here was stunning but long!
I got a day bus so I could see the scenary but it was a constant battle for 9 hours to stay awake - I didnt look too good when I got off that bus!
The route takes you from next to nothing in altitude over a high pass of about 3,000m and then back to almost nothing - the scenary was stunning and on a nicer day I would have got a really good loock at the biggest mountain in South America - as it turned out I could only see the base.
The boarder is at the top of the pass and we were there for 2 hours!! Chile dont let you get into the country with any products of animal fruit or veg but I managed to sneak in butter, cheese and wine - some poor Japanese guy had a maracca (musical instrement which I have never had to type before) and they destroyed it thinking there were drugs inside! Only rice!! This took ages and then we took so many swichbacks down the mountain on the decent to Valparaiso.
I got to Valparaiso at 5pm, was aproached at the bus station, I haggled down to the price I wanted now I am staying with a Chilean family in a nice place overlooking Valparaiso and the city looks stunning - im just going to go out to get my 1st real peak. yesterday didnt count as I was hanging!!
27/4/08
I walked so far! Valparaiso is a ciy set on the side of a cliff - unforunatly he usual way of geting up and down (a tram thingy) was closed. I walked for 10 hours! Down past the pier, over through the main square, up, down, up, down, up the mountains and all of it was through dirty little alleyways.
The dogs and cats rule these alleyways - im not someone who is scared of dogs but here - I really was! they were nearly all ok - as it happens but I did get my 1st bite off a dog ever! I got chased throught the alleyways by 8 crazed puppies! They were vicious and one of them bit me on the achilies (thats as tall as the puppies were!) Nohing major though - no blood - hopefully no rabies :-)
I saw the house of Paulo Neruda (very famous Chilian Poet), it was a ncie place and he views were stunning. I really like his work - i need to try and pick up a book or 2.
I spent today on a boat tour of the pier - nice and very cheap and I bumped into my fellow model from the photoshoot I took part in in Cafayate - she is Dutch - not Danish!
The family I stayed wih here were really nice and they really looked afer me but ive ran out of things to do here and the weather really could be a lot beter - im heading to Santiago.
Comments
Hellooo
Hi Stu,
I'm still reading your entries. Shame Sarah had to go home. OZ is going to be a bit of a shock after the prices out there!
Alex.xx
Hi
Hi Alex! Its been a while (again :-) ) hows life in your place with Nev? The job still at the same one?
I really know nothing about u anymore it seems :-)
A quick question..... I randomly thought about Kae yesterday - have you got her e mail address? Thanks.
Stu x