Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey explores Santiago, considered the financial capital of South Amercia. I spend the morning on a city centre tour before heading up Cerro Santa Lucia to Castillo Hidalgo, then up Cerro San Cristobal as the haze increases through the city. From the mountaintop I return through the city during rush hour to explore the city centre and to see the capsule used to rescue some miners further north.
Today's Journey
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Starting a city walking tour in Plaza de Armas in the city centre. |
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Passing the Mueso Chileno de Arte Precolombino. |
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A stray dog meets our group in the mid morning following us and keeping cyclists and other potential threats away from us. Apparently it meets and protects this group every day, following us for about two hours. |
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The Fuente Alemana fountain in Parque Forestal before crossing the Mapocho River. This is the point where the dog suddenly leaves us - perhaps this is the end of its territory. |
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Once over the river, we head through the arty part of town towards the now looming Cerro San Cristobal. |
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We take the funicular tramway steeply rising to the top of the mountain. From here we have spectacular views across the city, even though a blanket of smog now covers it. |
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Returning to the city. There are a lot of amazing works of street art through the city. |
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Reaching Cerro Santa Lucia, another hill in the city. |
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View from the top of Cerro Santa Lucia with the smog now clearing and the arid mountains of the Andes now coming into view. |
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I reach the presidential palace where the capsule used to rescue 33 trapped miners in the north of the country and locals queue to pay their respects. |
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