Feb 14, 2013 - Vina del Mar

Contrary to what the name of the city might indicate, we did not go there for wine tasting. We wanted to, but then had more urgent things to take care of, like get a camera fixed. It so happened that Petra's lens cover did not close properly anymore on her camera. So we had to get it fixed or resort to some more drastic measures, like remove the pieces by force or possibly get a new camera. Needless to say that we got it fixed in one afternoon for the total price of about $18. Now that is service. In the meantime we had to check out the...

Nov 18, 2012 - Rest Day, Vina Del Mar

Serviced Car in best ever facilities. I went too to take some photos. No problems with car and lunch provided! Paul and Sophie had a fright with a delaminated tyre blow out. Bus ride into Valparaiso. Dinner with Debbi and David Gault in the Hotel dining room took 3 hours! After Note: Paul has had another tyre blow out. We are very glad that he and Sophie are OK, just frightened. He has invested in four new tyres even though the end of the rally is near as he does not trust the originals.

Nov 17, 2012 - Last high Andean pass

For our last day in the high Andes of Argentina, we travelled Patchetts, Gaults and Edmund - and took a small diversion from the recommended route to take in the old Ruta de los Carricoles (Wagon trail) over the mountain north of Mendoza - rather than following through the valley with vineyards. We understood from our map and guidebook, plus a little internet research that the old road was metalled, but contained an optional 17km section of dirt road that consists of '365 bends' (actually only 270) clinging to the side of the mountain. When...

Oct 17, 2012 - Vina del Mar, Chile

Founded in 1874, Vina del Mar (Vineyard of the Sea), has its origins in a colonial hacienda whose vineyards faced the ocean. The area was transformed into a city after the 1906 earthquake compelled the elite of Valparaiso, the city next to Vina del Mar, to relocate here. It was an ideal place to build French-style garden palaces and the town became a resort for the rich. Today it is Chile’s “City of Gardens” and the place where people from Santiago spend their weekends and holidays on the shore of the Pacific Ocean about 90 miles west of...

Jan 11, 2012 - Chili - Vina del Mar

Nous sommes arrivés dans la nuit et sommes directement allés nous installer dans un petit hotel. Le lendemain, Falk et Ben ont trouvé un autre hotel beaucoup plus sympa dans une vieille batisse en bois, tenu par le fils d'immigrés allemands. On a donc déménagé nos affaires dans la matinée avant d'aller passer l'après-midi à la plage. Vina del Mar est une vraie station balnéaire, sans charme, ca me rappelle la Costa Brava en Espagne, c'est tout construit et envahi de touristes locaux (on est en pleine saison!). Vina del Mar - nachdem wir...

Nov 12, 2011 - Vina del Mar & Across the Andes

Hola - A friend of mine from Vanderbilt grew up here. Her father worked for W.T. Grace Shipping Company and had his office on Plaza Mayor in Valparaiso. I take the Metro train north along the coast to the nearby city of Vina Del Mar. Once a pleasand coastal resort it is now much larger and the favored beaches are still further north. Vina reminds me a bit of a Pasadena By-the-Sea. A nice, modern upscale place to live. Muy rico compared to Valparaiso. My first stop are the Quinta Vergara gardens. A huge old Italianate mansion is closed but...

Oct 15, 2011 - Day 27 - Vina del Mar

Today we took a day trip to Vina Del Mar located just a couple of kilometers north from Valparaiso. Easiest enough to get there by subway that goes along the coast. Very different from Valparaiso, Vina is more of a resort town with long stretches of sandy beaches. Our visit included a walk along the beach, saw more pelicans, a stop at the Flower Clock, the Wulff Castle. Took a Caleche ride and saw most of the town in style. Went by the Fonck Museum which has a large moai (Easter Island statue made of volcanic rock), the only one in mainland...

May 15, 2010 - A free day in Viña

I spent my last free day of the school year with Hope, Steph, Stephanie, Carissa, and Rebecca in Valparaíso. We didn´t find the area we were apparently looking for, but I didn´t mind. I just wanted to explore the city anyway. I looked through some books that were for sale next to a big park. Then we found some childrens´ carnival rides and Stephanie and I took pictures while the others rode a big swinging boat. The bus driver on the way back was crazy. I had my receipt/insurance paper in my hand the whole way back, just in case we wrecked.

May 10, 2010 - A day in Viña

Hope and Ben and I got into a conversation with two men named Jorge in a Charismatic church near the artisan market. The preacher Jorge offered us coffee and cookies, and when I told him I don´t drink coffee he thought I was a Mormon. We had a good conversation. The other Jorge made a joke about black people, which reminded me of what Isabel Allende said about the lack of political correctness in Chile.

May 9, 2010 - A day in Viña

Went to church in Viña but left a little late, so we were rushed walking there. La abuelita was surprised that we went desabrigados, but understood when we explained that we walked so we warmed up a lot on the way. Many Chileans bundle up in winter clothes in the fall and winter months regardless of the actual temperature.

May 8, 2010 - A day in Viña

I made a trip with Hope and Ben to the fruit market and grocery store. We had some long talks and walked around a lot. When I was in the fruit market I looked around on my own for a while and I didn´t feel like I stood out as much as I normally do in a big group of students.

Apr 29, 2010 - A day in Viña

Hope and I left after classes so that she could interview a few more people for her presentation. We walked around a lot. As we were crossing one of the streets the light was green but nobody was coming, so we started to cross. A truck that had been sitting in the street suddenly lurched toward us and we saw three guys inside. The one closest to us leaned out of the window laughing and said "hola!", and I just laughed. I know he told the driver to go to scare us, but it was funny. We ate in an outdoor restaurant on the second floor of a...