|
To maximize our time in Chile, Errol and I left
Toronto on Nov 8, Friday night and we arrived the morning following day at
the capital city of Santiago. There were various taxi stands at the
arrival area of the airport and transfer was CLP 5,400/person (CD$10.00).
We stayed at Crowne Plaza Hotel and although we
did not book a suite room, a welcome card and complimentary wine surprised
us. We did not waste time and immediately indulged ourselves with the
good wine of Chile.
Our first stop was
Cerro San Cristobal which was like the
Monserrate
of Bogota, Colombia where both were sanctuaries on top of a hill. We
took the funicular from the Calle Pio Nono station and cost was CLP
2,600/person round trip (CD$5.00). Just like at Monserrate funicular
station, there was also a Llama at the Cerro San Cristobal funicular stop.
The Llama at Santiago was more dressed up though. Made fun of this
coincidence and told friends that my Llama girlfriend at Bogota dumped me
but after a few weeks I found a new one at Chile.
From the hilltop sanctuary, Errol and I went to
the Presidential Palace
(La Moneda).
Not far from the palace was
Plaza Armas and we spotted some protests about cow milk. Took a break by
tasting the local beer in one of the local bars near Plaza Armas.
We headed back to Calle Pio Nono where local
restaurants lined up the area and it was one of the spots at Santiago for a
good night life. We capped the night by having a sumptuous carnivorous
dinner of grilled beef, pork, blood sausage and chicken. With 2
bottles of wine and a lot of left over, it was a great dinner at CD$60.00
for both of us.
Day 2, Valparaiso
and Viņa del Mar, Chile
.
.
|
