Last Day in Chile

Our day began at 9 a.m. and we headed from Santiago to the Pacific. On our way, we stopped at Emiliana, an organic vineyard; a truly beautiful and peaceful place. We sampled five wines by 10 a.m....but hey, we're troopers and Canadian to boot....nothing deters us from our main objective to climb every mountain, ford every stream...drink every bottle..it's rough!!!

We picked out and purchased our favourites, along with a bottle of their olive oil and continued our trek to our original destination of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar.

The city of Valparaiso is picturesque with it's architecture and location on the water. It has been an inspiration to artists and poets and has been declared "cultural patrimony of mankind" by UNESCO. It is only 120 km from Santiago which makes it a numbero uno choice for vacationers. It is also where the President of Chile enjoys the only official residence; the summer palace. We were surprised to learn that whoever serves as President, lives in their own home whether it be a modest apartment or a mansion.

It seems that we share the Niagara clock with Valparaiso. Can't find it in winter in Canada anyway.

Below: The castle where we had lunch, right beside the ocean. The waiter who greeted us asked where we were from and when we told him he said "Yonge and Bloor? "Sherbourne and Wellesly?" He and his wife lived in Toronto for five years. He was proud to introduce his son who works with him and who served us our meal.

Since we didn't have time to visit Easter Island, it was lovely to encounter Rapanui.

Below: See the palm tree??? The story is that the previous owner of the property made a condition on selling, that the palm tree would remain where it was. The new owner did not comply and built this building. The previous owner took him to court, won the case and the new owner was forced to incorporate the palm into the structure, causing great loss of income from the apartments that would have been, if he had only listened.

Below: How some of the richer people in Valparaiso get from the beach to their apartments.

Next we climbed up the mountains through which streets and funiculars climb. Great boutique homes, business and views, not to mention thousands of steps to get there and back.

Yep, that's a forest fire and it got really, really dark, major roads were closed and helicopters flew about, dumping water.

Below: Terrific street art!

Wouldn't guarantee that the wiring is to code

Below: Sights in the port below

We are told that there is dulce de leche inside them thar fried tings....bring on the cardiac paddles!...and NO, we didn't try them.

Back to Santiago for our last evening in Chile.