A few last days in Chile...museums and a visit to the nearby port

Bull wheel for the ascensor
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Although we hated to leave Easter Island, returning to Luis and Adda at the Casa Newen in Santiago felt like "coming home!"   They are so warm and welcoming!

Denny and I both felt that a day of rest was deserved plus many of you were clamoring for our Easter Island entry, so we spent the day at the Casa reading, writing, napping and uploading pictures.  We did venture out for the great empanadas around the corner.  We also talked to Adda about going to Valparaiso and she came up with excellent suggestions and a map.

You have to work hard to be able to play hard!

A beautiful room honoring important naval officers.
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So we took off bright and early the next morning after a Casa Newen breakfast.  It was a twenty minute walk to the Metro, a short ride to the Bus Terminal,  and an hour and a half later we were in Valparaiso.  The city surprised us!  We both quite like the bright colors and energy we feel there!  Hiring a cab, we drove through the downtown to the pier/peurto to a restaurant that Adda recommended.

Spectacular!  The Bote Salvavidas is on the second floor and we were seated in a balcony area that extends out over the pier.  Gorgeous views of the ships entering and leaving, the little fleet of sightseeing boats, and the pilot boats going and coming constantly.  While eating a truly delicious lunch (sharing a spinach salad and a shrimp & rice plate) we watched two tugs bring in a huge container ship.  All the while gulls and pelicans flew around and ducks were feasting on something right below us, spreading their wings in the sun afterwards to dry.

Inside courtyard
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After lunch we walked a few blocks to a nearby "ascensor."  Much of Valparaiso is built up the foothills and each foothill has a cable car that takes people up and down.  Denny was really excited to ride on one.  This one took us to a terrific overlook of the bay, small handicraft market and the Naval and Maritime Museum.  We broused through the museum for several hours totally enjoying their depictions of the history of Chile on the sea.  There was a great room of sailing ships in bottles.  There was a children's room with a sailing ship to walk through, stockades and other picture opportunities like standing behind a board with a space for your own face over a sailor's suit.

Museum of the Navy and Maritime
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Later we enjoyed a beer in another outdoor cafe and then walked down the hill taking pictures of the many colors and types of structures.  Beauty sits next to ruins, restored mansions next to the abandoned (and condemned?).

It was already dark upon our return so we got to walk the streets of Santiago at night -- during the real nightlife times that we (old folks) so rarely see!  LOL  Everywhere there is laughter and bright lights and outdoor cafes and disco music!  It was fun!

Ascensor
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Dowtown Santiago also offers a lot for the visitor and we ventured on the Metro once again to return to the Barrios Santa Lucia area markets and crossed the street to visit the Cerro Santa Lucia.  First a hermitage, then a convent and finally a military bastion, we loved roaming through the gardens and exploring the many castle-like alcoves and walkways.  Denny took some great pictures!!

Nick and Gloria welcomed us back into their home for our last evening so that we could pull together all our bags and re-pack for the trip home.  We have to make that weight limit!  It hardly seems possible that it has already been three months!  Just enough time to really get a feel for this area and yet be ready to go home!

Santiago METRO
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We are looking forward to flying into SLC to visit with family and friends for the weekend.  However then we must fly away again for a wedding in Sally's family in OKC.  We have a few other plans before we have to start working again -- a trip to Montana, Sally's sister Ginny's YaYa group from Houston is coming to the Tree House, Denny is going on a river trip down the Yampa and maybe the Dolores, and the bridgies are coming to the Tree House for a weekend as well.  Life is good!  Know that you are all invited as we will be there working hard for the next four months!  You have to work hard to be able to play hard!

Beautiful place to walk.
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Thanks for hanging in there with us once again.  Send suggestions for our next trip!  Join us for your favorite parts!   Ciao