Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me on a day tour from Santiago towards the coast, eventually reaching the twin cities of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. We explore parts of Vina del Mar before having lunch in a German Castle, then head south to Valparaiso where I explore the San Sebastiana house and the old port, before continuing along the coast and returning inland to Santiago in the early evening.
Today's Journey
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Heading out from Santiago on a cool sunny morning passing between the mountains towards the coast. |
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The sunshine suddenly gives way to thick fog after coming out of a tunnel. We stop at a large vineyard hidden under the foggy cloud near Curacavi. |
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Reaching the outskirts of Vina del Mar we explore the Quinta Vergara botanical gardens containing trees collected from almost every country in the world. |
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A couple of Easter Island dancers performing in Vina del Mar. |
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Visiting the German Castillo del Mar for a French seafood lunch all served in Spanish. |
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Heading to Valparaiso, the premier port of western South America. Here we visit La Sebastiana, a large house owned by an eccentric poet from where we get this amazing view across the city. |
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Exploring the colourful streets of Valparaiso, brightening up the otherwise perpetual coastal cloud. |
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Riding down the mountain in a cable car into the old city where we explore the port. |
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We head a little south along the Pacific Coast looking out over the ocean towards the distant Easter Island, my next destination tomorrow. |
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Returning to Santiago in the late afternoon as we rise above the cloud cover once back in the mountains. |
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