From the moment we stepped out of the airport in Chile, it felt like we were in Canada. The cars, the temperature, the calm... we felt right at home.
Santiago is a great city, situated near the mountains and ocean, clean. Lots to do.
We took in a day of snowboarding at Valle Nevado. The road up to this resort is really something else. We ran the a/c, passed cacti, numerous treacherous switchbacks sans guardrails, cattle grazing and about 150 crosses on the way up....
Love this next photo: what are the chances?
Whenever anyone asks how we managed to get in a day on the slopes with a little one, we quite enjoy teasing them and saying that we strapped Canadoca on our
backs, then wait for a reaction. People generally raise their eyebrows and nod their heads vigorously and say okay a few times while taking it in (granted, I haven't told any Brazilians this yet!) The truth? We
split a pass and switched off every few runs. It was great - the lodge at Velle negado is a wonderful place to spend the day.
The chairlifts were pretty funny = they have little guardrails that open and close to let each person through individually, and then you step onto this rubber moving ramp. It is dummy proof that is for sure...
We sort of hummed and hawed over whether or not to go up for a day or not but are we ever glad we did. It was a highlight of our trip to see the lodge/resort lifestyle there, the views were SPECTACULAR, and although it was just a week until the end of the ski season, the snow was great. OTIMO!
We toured Concha e Tore winery as well while in Santiago - what a gorgeous place. Yes, Canadoca was the only baby on the tour...
Back in my college days when I worked as a server, I sold a lot of "Diablo" wine - and we learned all about it when at the winery. Years ago, the locals were stealing wine from the cellar of the winery, so the owner decided to spread a rumour that it was haunted by the devil. It put a stop to the stealing, and the legend lives on today - as part of the tour we were locked in the cellar with the "devil" - which made for some great photo ops, see below. Also note that Mr. DRL assured everyone that our little angel would protect us all...
During our time in Santiago we also enjoyed some fantastic meals... we just seem to be VERY good at finding those amazing restaurants... some recommendations to pass along: Astrid y Gaston (Antonio Bellet 201, Providencia), Rivoli (Nueva De Lyon 77), The Santiago Fajita Company (Santa Magdalena 92 Local 10 and by the way - is owned by Alex, a great Chilean-Canadian guy from Vancouver!), and Osadia (photos below).
Food at Astrid y Gaston, below (SUCH an incredible meal):
Glad you had a good trip! I haven't made it to Astrid y Gastón yet, but it's supposed to be one of the best restaurants in the city.
Posted by: Emily | January 31, 2010 at 08:58 PM