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Published: January 19th 2010
After a night in San Padro de Atacama I got a 24h bus down to Valparaiso. I started to really notice the difference with Chile (one of the richest coutries in South America) and Bolivia ( the poorest country in South America) comfortable buses, paved roads and generally much more westernised.
I arrived in Valparaiso the next day and set about exploring the city. I really liked Valparaiso with its multi-coloured houses, street artists, artisan shops and funicular trains (for getting up the many steep hills). As well as generally wondering round and taking in the atmosphere I went on a boat round the port and drank lots of espresso in the coffee shops (before coming to South America I was under the misconception that the coffee here would be good but they seem to have a great liking for instant coffee and fresh coffee has been extremely difficult to find). In the evenings I watched some street theatre and music (most of the audience were up dancing by the end of the eveing) at Plaza Anibal Pinto as well as enjoying a pisco sour or 2 ( both Chile and Peru claim Pisco as their national drink).
It
was then time to head over to Argentina, first stop Mendoza which is known for its wine. In Mendoza I tried my first Argentinian steak (delicious) and went on a tour of some wine bodegas by bicycle. There was also an abundance of ice cream shops here which I couldn't resist. After sampling all the great food and drink I decided it was time to do some hiking and headed to see Aconcagua (the highest mountain in South America) unfortunately the clouds were low that day and I didn't get to see the peak but even so I really enjoyed the hike. This area was where they filmed Seven Years in Tibet and the film company had given money for the rebuilding of a bridge in that area so it is now know as the Brad Pitt Bridge! I also went to see Peunte del Inca a natural stone bridge over the rio Mendoza.
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Helena
non-member comment
Brad Pitt bridge?!
Is the Brad Pitt bridge where you get to meet a Brad Pitt lookalike of your own?!