Santiago

It's definitely not chile-y here! ...

Santiago, technically the start of our South American experience. We didn’t spend very much time in the Chilean capital, rather it served as a pit-stop between Peru and Easter Island. Nevertheless, we tried to see as much of the region as we could. We explored the city and surrounding area on foot, happening across the La Moneda Palace, Plaza de Armas, Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral, Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts, and Parque Forestal. We also walked through Barrio Bella Vista, the bohemian neighbourhood of Santiago with quirky shops, cafes, bars and streets full of colourful antique houses.

Aside from these city explorations we also headed to one of the most famous sites in Santiago, Cerro San Cristobal. Offering one of the best panoramic views over the city and the Andes, the views are breathtaking. As well as the incredible view, the summit features a 14-metre-high white statue of the Virgin Mary. We had originally intended to take the funicular to the summit, but we decided to hike instead. The hike was well marked and not too challenging, following the road for the initial ascent before splitting off to a dirt track.

Although it was a very short visit to Santiago de Chile, it was a lovely taster of Chile.