Chile Trip 2015

South America » Chile » Santiago Region
March 4th 2015

Published: March 6th 2015

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Armaloo

Santiago

Our Hotel - Santiago

More than a year ago, our friends Sheryl and Mike invited us to join them on a holiday to Chile. Sheryl did a huge amount of research and organised the trip. I am sharing my notes and some photos on this blog. We hope you enjoy the journey.

February 17 - Tuesday - SANTIAGO

We flew to Santiago via Auckland. There were a few little dramas leaving Sydney, but made our plane, using the express line to board.

(One of the names had been incorrectly spelt on the ticket, which was corrected after much to-ing and fro-ing, and a cost of $80.)

Flying in over Chile, we saw mountains and volcanoes rising up through the clouds - our first glimpse of the huge mountains which

form the back bone of the country.

A transfer vehicle took us to Hostal Rio Amazonas. On the way we saw army police responding to what our driver said was a possible bank hold up. We saw people living in shanties in creek bed.

The hostel was pleasant, friendly and very colourful. We went out and bought pizza and went for a walk to the central area. Saw many

Santiago

Courtyard eating and "hanging out" area.

dogs. The area appeared very dry.

Feb 18 - Wednesday

Walking tour - fish markets and veg markets and cemetery. Took underground back two stops and walked through "common" area. Also many eating places.

Many street dogs - kennels in park for them. Multi story office blocks with windows open - no air conditioning it seems.

Funicular up Serro San Cristobal - fantastic view.

Ate tea in outside area of hotel. Very relaxing.

Population of Chili 70,000,000 - 6.3 million Santiago - 1.8 million Valparaise.

Feb 19 - Thursday

Day trip to Valparaiso - Tour driver Leo. Stopped at little way side stop for Empanadas. Beef, or mushroom and cheese. Coffee with milk - (sache of instant coffee, and milk poured from aluminium jug) .

Valparaiso very picturesque on side of hill - colourful. Walked around old area. Back to car and headed back up coast. Stopped to watch seals on rock and flocks of birds diving into the sea after fish.

Lovely coast line - black beaches though. Some modern areas and others less so. Stopped for lunch at small seaside cafe. Had fish and

Santiago

Colourful bedroom.

salad for lunch. Kept driving arriving back at about 7pm.

Very class orientated country. Interesting listening to the walking tour guide in Santiago, and Leo, discussing the rule of Pinochet. Country is quite divided in their opinions.

Additional photos below

Photos: 39, Displayed: 23

Santiago

Our "Where's Wally" guides for the walking tour.

Santiago Markets

Fish Markets

Santiago

More wealthy tombs

Santiago Markets

Fruit and Veg markets

Santiago Cemetery

The cemetery is huge - covers an area equal to 100 football fields. The poorer people are buried in these walls.

Santiago Cemetery

They have a frontage of approximately 60cm wide and 50 cm high, and go back from there. The coffin is put in the hole and left for approx 3 years, then the bones are taken out, put in a smaller container and put to the back. Then the next family member is buried in there, and so on. Our guide said that the most she has seen buried in one site was 12. Hardly seems possible.!

Santiago Cemetery

If you are a little more wealthy, you can choose to be remembered by your profession. This is the building for the burial of people in the police force.

Santiago Cemetery

Inside the police building.

Santiago Cemetery

Some people are given special status - dispute over what that is, but you can go and request favours of them, and when those favours happen, you must come back and thank them.