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So I write this as we wait to go to the airport for our flight to Auckland. Our last 6 days have been spent in Santiago, Chile, and it's been much more interesting than we'd expected.
Our journey from Mendoza through the snowy Andes was a stunning one - definitely one of the most beautiful bus trips we'd ever experienced. We even caught a glimpse of Aconagua, S.America's highest mountain. We'd heard mixed reports about Santiago,and it seemed to have the 'marmite effect', but we found it to be a vibrant city with a fascinating history and is abundant with huge parks and tree-lined plazas.
On our 1st day here we took advantage of the free walking tours (paid for with tips at the end) that are common in many cities now. This is a great way to see the sights in the sunshine,and learn the history as well as get local tips. For example, we learned about 'cafes with legs' which are common around the business district, and basically are coffehouse with waitresses who serve coffee in their underwear. At random times in a day the manager anounces 'a happy minute', where they lock the door and the waitresses strip naked and dance on the tables for 1 minute! How the businessmen get any work done is beyond us! Our guide was really entertaining and we learned a lot about Chile's turbulent past. Later in the afternoon, after a lunch of bean stew with cut-up hot dog (a traditional dish & really tasty), we went into the massive park for great, albeit smog-obscured, views of the city and the mountains which rise up behind it.
We spent a day at the neighbouring coastal cities of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. The former being much poorer but pretty cobbled streets and coloured houses, with 'ascensors' which are basically lifts that travel up the steep hills to transport people from their homes into town. Vina del Mar is a beautiful, wealthy city where Santiagans go at the weekends, with lovely beaches and amazing palaces (and loads of pelicans!). It was a scorching day (the 1st we'd had for a good while) so we had a great day wandering around and drinking wine in the sun.
We also visited the zoo in Santiago, lazed about the park and visited Pablo Neruda's house (which is built like a ship with secret passageways and amazing features). Most days we spent an hour people-watching in the central plaza where you can see everything from tarot readers to chess tournaments, and huge orchestras playing the 'Star Wars' theme to a man swimming in the fountain.
We can't believe our time in South America has come to an end, but what an adventure it's been. From tropical jungles to snow-capped volcanoes, from getting up close & personal in the Galapagos to city hustle & bustle, we've seen so much in 3 1/2 months!
It'll be strange talking solely English for the next 5 weeks in NZ and Australia!
- comments
Cameron Kennedy Sounds like you have had an awesome time in South America. Really looking forward to goin there got a while to wait though! Especially looking forward to the 'The Cafes with Legs'. Lol! Love to you both and have fun in Aus and NZ. X
Simon Matchett Cafe with legs!!! When are we going Cameron???