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to the End of the Earth & back
  • Rita Yee
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lut 2018 – wrz 2025

to the End of the Earth & back

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  • Rita YeeRita Yeeto the End of the Earth & back

    Daytrip Escape: Valparaiso/Vina del Mar

    20 lutego 2018, Chili ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Having seen the photos of colorful houses from travellers past, I knew when planning this trip that Valparaiso was a must. But how many days and how would it work with the schedule? People have recommended 2 days - 2 days I didn't really have, and thus, it was a day tour through Viator for me. That said, if you had the time, you could likely make this trip on your own by bus or car.

    Our small group of travellers was rounded up for the 1-2 hour drive to the Chilean coast, and what a difference in temperature. We arrived in Vina del Mar first, making some quick stops at the Moai statue, the beach and the flower clock. Despite the quick stops, we weren't rushed at all for photos and even had some time to ocean-watch by the water. The area has a very relaxed, but still upscale vibe that one could easily spend a half or full day.

    Back in the van, it was off to Valparaiso. I found it a bit of a small bustling city. It's old with colorful hills, dotted by houses. While the city streets by the water is worth a wander, it was into the hills that we wanted to go, exploring street after street of not only colorful houses but cool street art that commands your attention. Some streets are named after European countries.

    For lunch, we stopped at one of the restaurants in the hills that sported a sweeping panoramic view of the city below. There are so many more examples of art I wish I could share (they have a photo limit here! unless you became a premium member).

    En route back to Santiago, it was a pit stop at the Indomita Winery for a sampling of wine from the Casablanca Valley. A bit fancy but also boasts a great view all around. The Chilean wine of this region to try is the Camenere. My favorite part though? Picking a few Merlot grapes off the vine, now that's fresh =)

    Our tour only scratched the surface of this getaway from Santiago, there's still more to be seen and discovered next time I'm back.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Rita YeeRita Yeeto the End of the Earth & back

    Santiago in a Day

    19 lutego 2018, Chili ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    First things first, a lot of things are closed on Monday, but it is a great day to do a walking tour and orient yourself with the city. I took mine with Strawberry Tours and our much smaller English group walked around with Vanesa, who had lots to share about Santiago's history and didn't rush us at all. (You also get Chilean candy if you answer questions ;)

    The Strawberry Tour site lists all your spots, so you can easily remember where you went. You do have to book a spot - it's free though, and works on a tip basis, with 10% of their tips earned going to a local charity to help seniors. We met at Universidad Catolica metro station where we embarked on a near 4 hour walk to the following: GAM, Lasterria neighborhood, Cerra Santa Lucia, La Moneda, the church of San Agustin, Plaza Armas and more!

    After the tour, we went to the Central Market for a late lunch. My seafood paella was okay, but I do recommend you try the Chilean seafood chowder, very tasty! Then it was off to catch the teleferico or cable car up to Cerro San Cristobal. Of course, it being Monday, the teleferico was closed, after we made a long detour from the metro and walked about 45 minutes. Yikes, so now you're warned. Instead, we decided to go back through Providencia to the metro to catch the funicular up for city views and to visit the statue of the Immaculate Conception that overlooks Santiago.

    Getting there was a lot easier. You take the metro to Baquedano, then walk straight along Pio Nono through Bellavista right up to the park entrance. You can hike up with you wish, but giving we've been on our feet for hours, the 2000 peso round trip funicular ticket was a no brainer (that's about $4 CAD).

    Up top, the views are stunning, you see all of Santiago stretched out before you before the Andes in the far distance. And you realize just how widespread this city of 7 million is. A mere 24 hours barely scratches the surface. For those of you considering Sky Costenara, the highest tower in Latin America (15,000 pesos or $30 CAD), this option is much better, unless you just want to say you've been up that tower.

    It's evening hours now, and Bellavista is a hopping place to be to wander and grab some dinner. I took a quick peek through Patio Bellavista and do recommend checking it out. It's got some neat shops, a cool ice cream shop (Mist which serves rolled ice cream) and several restaurants. Why didn't I stay? Well, I wasn't quite hungry yet, and I was determined to go back to Emporio La Rosa which we passed earlier in the day to sample a top 25 gelato place as named by The Daily Meal.

    The ice cream was good, I ended up getting the Lemon Pie and Lucuma which is one of Chile's national fruits. Then it was off to find El Rapido, which a co-worker had recommended for empanadas. I have to say, it is a bit of challenge when the menu has no English, but that's how we tell it's local right? Thankfully with the help of a local, I was able to pick out my empanadas and drag my very very tired feet back to the hotel for this simple dinner.     Czytaj więcej

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  • Rita YeeRita Yeeto the End of the Earth & back

    South for the Winter

    18 lutego 2018, Chili ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Well, this entry really should've started yesterday when I took off from Vancouver, but alas, nothing out of the ordinary happened til arriving in Santiago. The wait from immigration and customs was probably the longest I'd ever had. By the time I arrived to my hotel, it was after 3pm (3 hours after we touched down - and no, the airport is not that far away).

    For those planning to visit Santiago Chile, an easy and economical way to get into the city is the airport bus that leaves outside the terminal and drops you at Los Heroes where you can easily catch a metro to wherever you're staying. The metro map can be found on wikitravel. You will need to buy a BIP card and load it before using though. But all in all, 1800 pesos to Los Heros and then the usual range for public transport travel.

    I'd forgotten what summer felt like with this winter so cold at home, to the point where it snowed on February 17th, the morning of my departure. I'd completely forgotten to pack for summer, more focused on the colder parts of the itinerary. Thank goodness for convertible pants from North Face and the ever present walking sandals. After freshening up, all I did was follow my feet and wander around. Strolling past the Central Market, across the river and back. Stumbling upon the Plaza Armas before passing Santa Lucia in a quest to find Barrio Italia. The latter I was not very successful and trudged back to the hotel while picking up takeout to dine in our rooftop patio. All in all, the streets were quiet, maybe because it's Sunday - Lima was the same.     Czytaj więcej

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    19 lutego 2018
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