Santiago Oct. 17 - 27, 2006—I spent time in the beautiful country of Chile, beginning in the capital city, Santiago. This photo shows the National Fine Arts Museum, founded in 1880, which houses five thousand artworks representing the most important Chilean and European artists from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries. The city is also home to the Isabel Aninat Gallery, offering artwork from contemporary artists throughout Latin America.
Santiago is a large city with busy streets and tall buildings. Look above the trees and you will see the Andes Mountains. If it's foggy, they hide (above).
This is a little organic vegetarian restaurant with great food, called El Huerto elHuerto.cl Address: Orrego Luco 054, Providencia, Santiago Metro: Estacion Pedro da Vandiva
Just north of Santiago we spotted this beautiful vineyard.
Vina Del Mar
This is a the Sheraton Miramar, Vina del Mar. The tower in the center encloses three glass elevators and an elegant circular staircase. All the rooms face the ocean and the hotel cantilevers out over the water.
Chile has a four thousand mile coastline. Near the hotel, a child's toy left on the beach.
Inside the lobby of the Miramar.
Ocean view condos in Vina del Mar.
Valparasio
On to Valparasio, a World Heritage Site. Visit Valparasio online: MuniciipalidadValparaiso.cl.
The city is built on hills with staircases and funicular trains connecting the streets.
An ocean view house.
My video of a funicular climbing the hill: link to Youtube.
Valparasio is an ancient, still-busy port.
Chile Military
Chile has an active Armada that patrols the coast. Here are photos of the hardware I saw within the three days we were visiting.
The Road to Zapallar
Fifty-five miles north of Vina del Mar is the destination city, Zapallar, a beautiful resort village. Nearby is the Island of Chachagua Nature Sanctuary, where otters and Humboldt penguins live. The village has a tranquil restaurant, El Chiringuito, where you can watch the pelicans. Link to my video of raining penguins at Youtube - click here.
More views of the coast . . .
