|
|
TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
a travel blog entry
|
|
Vina del Mar is about 80 miles Northwest from Santiago on the Pacific Coast and is a VERY popular for the Santiagans to go on the weekends or longer to vacation. Basically there is fine dining, museums, the beach/boardwalk, shopping, etc. to do in Vina. Luckily, I went on a Monday-I can't imagine how crowded it might be on the weekends! Valaprisio is it's sister city and is also popular. I still can't get over how Chile and California share similar terrain and vegetation. Vina and Valaprisio are similar to San Francisco or Monterey in weather and terrain. It is much cooler in Vina than the desert valley area of Santiago.
The real adventure was me getting to the bus station via the metro (subway), getting off at the right station and purchasing my bus ticket and finding the right bus to get on! It's all clearly marked but with my limited Spanish it can be a bit frightening, but I made it with no problems.
I had my first real experience out in a Chile restraunt called ENJOY, which was right next to the beach. I also had my first of real cup of coffee since leaving the states (instant nescafe is what you mostly have around here!). The dessert was to die for. It was suppose to be a Cheesecake, but it was more like yellow cake with cheese and raspberry filling...no matter, it was beautiful and delicious (see photo). So much for those pounds I lost the last few days in walking!
The main part of the beach had a boardwalk with vendors and sand art (see photo of Hommer Simpson). I bought a shaw and a 20 minute massage! On the main road next to the beach were several horse drawn carts and pony rides for the kids (see photo). There also is an old and famous and still popular casino on the main strip (see photo). Did you know that Chile has castles (see photo)? I do not know much about there history (since I do not speak or read spanish) but there are several of them in Vina.
It was a good day and with a very friendly helpful tourist customer service rep. in Vina. "Maurico" helped arrange plans for my upcoming stay in Vina del Mar starting Feb 24th, leaving the 25th. The 25th they have a large concert and I am going (I think). Journey is one of the three bands playing (for all you old rockers you know who I am talk'in about). Hotel O'Higgins (see photo) is where I believe many of the celebrity bands are staying and that is why there is such a crowd.
The 26th I will rent a vehicle and drive up the North Pacific Coast (towns of Renaca and Zapallar), where I am told the wealthy Chileans live and the coast is beautiful...described as San Diego like in weather. I will depart the Vina area via bus on the 26th and arrive the morning of the 27th to Southern Chile to the area called the Lakes District. The town I will be arriving in is called Pucon and I will be staying a week on a farm/ranch with horses, etc. and will be taking conversational spanish lessons for a week there.
Yes-I am finally leaving the big city of Santiago and will be on the road for awhile so my writings and postings may be limited due to my facilities.
previous travel blog entry
Comments or Questions for the Author
nomadicman says:
Journey!!! right on. Rock on girl while I'm freezing back here. The beach looks tempting.
Kahn says:
You are looking good...Better watch those fancy deserts though!