On Monday we ventured west for the 1.5 hour drive to the coastal city of Valparaiso. In some ways, Chile is much like California where in just a short drive you can be in a totally different landscape. We do have to be flexible in our travels by car as Santiago imposes driving restrictions on certain days based on the last number of the license plate as part of their spare the air efforts. Santiago is a valley surrounded by the Andes and several other mountain ranges, so in the winter the air can become quite smoggy. But we checked the website on Sunday night and we were good to go.
A major port city, it quickly rises from sea level to cover 47 hills, densly populated with colorful houses, jammed together in a hodgepodge of architecture and winding streets. There are about 9 functioning Ascensors that move people up to the various hills.
We took just one (we thought they were free, but were not...so we figured we had the experience) and enjoyed the view and another day of nice weather.
We also passed many staircases as well
We ended up finding this restaurant - the oldest in the city which is a jazz club at night. We enjoyed a peaceful lunch and a break from the noise of a very bustling and crowded city.
We then drove through Vina del Mar, a more ritzy city just north of Valparaiso, and where all of the elite families relocated after the 1906 earthquake.
Unlike this couple enjoying the coastal walk and the apporaching sunset in the Pacific, we couldn´t find a place to park, so had to enjoy it from the car window.
There are my Andes again, with the sunset reflecting off of them, as we approach Santiago.
I could get used to this!
Wow.... this is a very cool trip! Love all the colors!!! Reminds me a little bit of Brazil.
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