Tag Archives: chile
Santiago Quick Guide / Jul, 24
Santiago may not enjoy the fame of other South American destinations such as Buenos Aires or Rio, but the city deserves at least few days’ exploration as part of a larger Chilean or South American itinerary. There’s plenty to see, do and — maybe most importantly — eat, and the city’s setting against the jagged […]
Day 17: Arequipa I Love You / Jul, 07
Another travel-dominated day, one that would take me 1,600 miles from Santiago to Arequipa, Peru, where I’d begin the next chapter of my trip. My flight, operated by the Chilean airline Sky, hopscotched its way north, landing first in Antofagosta and then Arica, both cities in northern Chile surrounded by brown desert and mountains, before […]
Day 16: Leaving the Island / Jul, 06
This was entirely a travel day, so I don’t have much to say and almost no pictures to show. I spent the morning packing in my cabana, picking up my laundry, returning my rental bike, paying Dario. He hailed me a cab when it was time to go to the airport, and paid the driver […]
Day 12: Biking the Island / Jul, 02
This was a pretty huge day. The island, small as it is, seems to call for huge days. I rose early and rented a bike in town, from Insular on the main street. I was impressed with how professionally this place was run, and ended up with a Cannondale bike for 24 hours, a helmet […]
Day 10: Back to Santiago (and Goodbye Dan) / Jun, 30
Today was Dan’s last day in Chile, and the weather cooperated by being spectacular — clear and sunny all the way from Valpo back to Santiago. We had a leisurely morning at the Hostal, packing, lingering on our balcony and waiting for my clothes to dry. Then we made our way to Cafe Brighton, where […]
Day 9: Up the Coast / Jun, 29
High temp: 55, sunny/foggy; low: 39 We woke to thick fog, with the white opaque disc of the sun visible through it. But the weather forecast called for clear skies, and sure enough, by the time we were finished with breakfast, the day was sunny and warm.
Day 8: Chilean Cooking and Puppets / Jun, 28
High temp: 50, partly sunny; Low: 32 We had a leisurely start this morning. The hostal people felt guilty about all the problems we’ve been having with hot water, the Internet, and our door lock breaking (yeah), so they made us coffee and a simple breakfast. (They’re also supposed to do my laundry for me […]
Day 7: Isla Negra / Jun, 27
High temperature: 50, low: 40 Today we went to one of three houses that Chilean national hero Pablo Neruda maintained. Neruda is best known today as a poet, but he also had a day job — as a diplomat. In 1971, he won the Noble Prize. Busy guy.
Day 6: Valparaiso / Jun, 26
High temperature: 62, low temperature: 36 Last summer, Dan and I met a Chilean architect doing a residency in Cleveland. We contacted him before our trip, and although he now lives in Vancouver, Canada, his sister lives in Vina del Mar, the next town up the coast from Valparaiso. The architect put us in touch […]
Day 4: Los Andes / Jun, 24
High temperature: 64, sunny. Low: 34. I was thinking today, during lunch, that we’re traveling in a pretty strange way. We’re in Chile in the winter, and we’re not seeing the things most people see when they come here. And I was feeling kind of funny about that for a minute. I caught myself even […]