Nov 8, 2011 - The Coast of Chile - Valparaiso

Hola - My last port of call before disembarking was the northern Chilean city of La Serena. It lived up to its name - a pleasant place with a parade of people. mostly children, in traditional dress, a Soap Box Derby, Japanese Garden, and a number of churches. The local Museo had exhibits from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) as well as a mummy preserved by the heat and dryness of the northern Chilean desert. The port of Coquimbo is south of the city and is host to a huge seafood market. My last day aboard the Veendam - time for laundry, a last few...

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...

Oct 14, 2011 - Day 26 Valparaiso

Today was our first day in the city of Valparaiso, located 120 km to the northwest of Santiago. Valparaíso has a very mild Mediterranean climate closely resembling that of San Francisco or Santa Barbara at a similar latitude in the northern hemisphere. Lots of sun and blue sky today and forecasted for the rest of the week. Valparaíso is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its urban design and unique architecture and unusual system of funicular elevators (highly-inclined cable cars). The city is built upon dozens of steep hillsides...

Apr 14, 2011 - Thursday Valaparaiso to Santiago

Decided to make the most of our half day by taking the metro from Valparaiso to Vina del Mar. This resort is quite different to Valparaiso. It is quieter and cleaner and less chaotic. It was a beautiful sunny day which we spent walking along the sea front. Took lunch on the promenade then took the metro back to Valparaiso. We said our goodbyes to Dora and Katalina the two daughters of the household, exchanged e-mails and a more formal goodbye to their father and left them to plan the remaining earthquake repairs to their home.The guest...

Apr 13, 2011 - Wednesday Valparaiso

Went exploring the city today. Each ´cerro´ or hill is a bit like a self contained barrio and has its own character. In some there are artist colonies and in others coffee shops and restaurants. We took collectivo taxis to get to the top driving at breakneck speeds to maintain momentum and then wandered back down. At least that was the idea. Trouble was you could never quite be sure where the top was! This city was hit by the earthquake that caused more serious damage in Concepcion last year. However our guest house is currently under...

Apr 13, 2011 - Tuesday Valparaiso

Flew back to Santiago this afternoon and took a bus to Valparaiso which is the nearest Pacific coastal resort to Santiago. A 2 hr bus ride over the coastal mountain range, across the central valley with its vineyards and into this city into the surrounding hills of a wide bay. The features that make this busy port special are the hills within the city that have densley packed streets winding steeply upwards. When we got to the bus station we gave a driver a printed address for the small guest house - but he declined to take us because he...

Feb 26, 2011 - Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Isla Negra

Today is my fourth and last day in Valparaiso, a port city an hour and a half northwest of Santiago. Ania just left this afternoon to go back to Santiago where she is joining her second Intrepid tour. Now, it's just me again. The hostel/B&B where we've been staying is one of the best I've had so far on this trip. And the views over the town and bay are just amazing. Of course taking good photos of such sweeping views is very difficult, so my pictures probably won't do the place justice. The owners here are incredibly helpful, the place is...

Feb 20, 2011 - El Pregón

Sunday, February 20, 2011 We checked out of the International Continental Hotel by 10:00 am on our way to El Pregón, less than an hour away, where we would experience music, dance and horsemanship of Chile. Mesquite trees grow along the highway, tolerant of dry condition and used for barbecue cooking. The power plant we passed supplies the thermo-electric power for the cities; hydro-electric power using water from the mountains supplies power for smaller communities. Wind mills are put in use in the desert. Nuclear power is being discussed...

Feb 16, 2011 - Valparaiso

Thursday, February 17, 2011 We are winding up another semester and cruise segment. The choir performed at 3:30 pm to a full lounge. Our music encompassed our ports of call and a love song for Valentine’s Day. We had a tango, with a couple dancing, a sea shanty, sailing, a Baroque hymn in Spanish and a round that included the audience. At his farewell party the Captain and Eddie the hotel manager read a poem composed by Eddy about our voyage around the Horn, with reference to our rough seas and other incidents that occurred. Dr. Leslie Burns...

Feb 16, 2011 - Valparaiso and Viña del Mar

Settled into our apartment in Santiago, so first thing we do is leave the next day to go to Valparaiso. Bus and mass transit here is very efficient and affordable. We walk outside our apartment building to the Metro station four blocks away. Quick 10 stations ride on a very clean, modern subway to a major bus terminal. Purchase bus ticket and depart in 10 minutes for 90 minute ride (about 60 miles) in a clean, comfortable bus to Valparaiso via a major highway. we use micro buses in Valpo to navigate the city - that story to follow. While in...

Jan 10, 2011 - Easter Island

Up at 5:30 am and dark...easy trip via Metro to bus stop where we caught bus to airport...then a long, long line to check baggage. Plane left half hour late and we landed on Easter Is. about 1:30 their time. There were quite a few reps from different hostels, hotels so Bon and Jake spent considerable time chkg out several. By the time we decided on one, Chez Cecilia, we were the only ones left in the airport, ha! Cecilia drove us to her place, very near the ocean and close to everything. She had several options...an apt. w/ our own...

Oct 19, 2010 - Easter Island: Rapa Nui

I was so excited about going to Easter Island and it did not disappoint! The flight from Santiago was about 6 hours and I had time to get over the reverse culture shock of seeing modern buildings in Santiago city, no rubbish in the streets and retail chains that I recognised! Arrival on Easter Island: On landing the door opened and a warm, balmy breeze welcomed us. The airport was small and Polynesian style music and dancers greeted us and we were given flower garlands just like you see in the movies! Everyone left the airport smiling. I...