Trip #3 Part 1
10 full days of wonders ! From the 5th till the 17th of April !
Itinerary:
Buenos Aires - Mendoza Mendoza - Santiago Santiago - Valparaiso Valparaiso - Viña del Mar/Con-con
Our idea : get to Chili, visit Santiago, Valparaiso, Viña del Mar and then go back to Argentina, visit Mendoza and head back to Buenos Aires.
We were supposed to leave Thursday 6th of April but we were informed about the eventuality of a strike everywhere in Argentina... Which happens quite often. So we changed our ticket (without supplementary costs) for the Wednesday 5th of April. Round trip price : 60$US.
We left at 6pm from Retiro Station and arrived in Mendoza day+1 at 12pm (count 18 hours). Because of the strike we took a Chilean company for a Mendoza - Santiago, we left at 4pm and arrived in Santiago at 9pm (more or less 6 hours depending on your luck at the border). Ticket price : 20$US.
We were meeting with friends that could host us in Santiago. But first things first, let's have a drink ! And then a good night's rest. In the morning the weather is not really the best so we decide to do our "shopping" day. In fact, don't think about shopping in Buenos Aires, it is unaffordable... But here the Chilean stores are calling us! Actually we don't have a choice, the weather is getting colder and colder and I didn't bring enough warm clothes. Here is what I bought for 130$US:
-2 turttle necks -1 simple sweater -1 pair of cute boots -1 big scarf (you'll need it, trust me)
Santiago 13°C-16°C
Beautiful city, quite different from the rest in South America I would say. Santiago is the economic center of the country and you notice it. Banks, Shopping centers, big streets and people wearing suits is what comes to mind when I picture the city now. Here is a little top 10 of activities we did:
1) San Cristobal, hill in the city. You can either walk your way up or take the funicular. I recommend you to stop in a kiosko to buy a bottle of wine/beer, then take the last funicular at 7pm (check the schedule, it changes) and watch the sunset with a beautiful view over the city. Then you can go down walking, it takes approximatly 30min-1h.
2) Santa Lucia, other little hill. This one is way smaller than San Cristobal but looks like a secret garden. With its little castle on top and all its hidden paths, you'll enjoy to get lost in and out the tracks.
3) Plaza de Armas, heart of the city. Historically this square was were all economic transactions were made. You can see by the architecture and the size of the building the importance of the place in Santiago's daily life back since the XVIth century.
4) Palacio de la Moneda, is the President here ? you can watch el Cambio de la Guardia every sunday. The parade includes, music, horses, and every other military routine.
5) Costanera Center, shopping mall. As a foreigner you'll have 10-20-30% discount, ask it at the information desk at the entrance.
6) Barrio Bellavista, to have a drink in a colourful atmosphere.
7) Pizzeria Tiramisu en Las Condes. This pizzeria will remind you what real pizza tast like! Welcome back thin crusted pizza, I missed you! Isidora Goyenechea 3141
8) Eric Kayser, boulangerie. Morning coffee accompagned by its croissant and pain au chocolat s'il vous plait. Very french, very good. Augusto Leguía Nte
9) Day Tour at Embalse del Yeso. Book a tour at +56 9 61307177 to visit this wonderful place in the Andes. Located at 2 800m of altitud, it will take your breath away. With a stop at San José de Maipo, a village in the moutains, you will discover the chilean life. Sit on a window side of the car to admire every bit of landscape you can.
10) One of many musems and Centro cultural.
To be continued.....
