Another long weekend getaway, except really far this time.
Also, sorry it took me a month to write this, I’ve been busy being beautiful.
For country #65 I made my way to Santiago, Chile and I went solo. I thought when I booked this that it was such an amazing flight deal that I couldn’t pass it up. The days leading up to it was when it hit me that Chile is REALLY freaking far. Maybe don’t just go there for a long weekend, like I did. Be smarter. But try to still get a good flight deal, duh.
If you are interested in the budget for this trip – click here.
Friday, October 11th
My flight was with Avianca late night on Thursday. Everything went well for that and it was a red-eye to Colombia and then another flight from Colombia to Chile.
When I arrived in Santiago airport, I was prepared for the Uber shenanigans. The rideshare service isn’t allowed to come to the airport to pick people up, so you have to go to where gate 5 is, walk across the street to the parking garage (where the ticket machines are) and have your Uber pick you up there and make sure to sit in the front seat. Then it looks like a friend or relative is coming to get you. Because once I saw the cost of the shared shuttles or actual taxis? Absolutely-the-fuck-not. I was not paying that much. The Uber from the airport into central Santiago was $27.00 CAD one-way.
I had a really simple check-in to my wonderful AirBnB. The host left detailed instructions on how to enter and that made everything smooth.
This AirBnB was AWESOME. I had a whole loft to myself and it was two floors. The place was clean, spacious and even had a washer/dyer combo, which comes in clutch when you travel with just a personal item like I do.
If you are interested in staying in this AirBnB, click here. You will NOT be disappointed. If I ever return to Santiago, I would come back here immediately.
At 8pm I had a reservation from a while ago to a place called Pulmay Seafood & Bar.
I wish I had made this reservation for a little earlier in the day, but I had decided to take a nap so it all worked out. I was MARVED by this time of night though.
For my meal I ordered: a shot of sea urchins, southern razor clams, mussels, octopus and a tres leches cake.
I’ve had sea urchin before in Peru, this one was interesting as a shot. The mussels and octopus were good as well. However, the razor clams and the tres leches? OH YES. I loved the clams and the tres leches was by far one of the best I have ever tasted. If I wasn’t so damn full, I probably would have ordered a second round of the dessert.
Only thing that really sucked at the dinner was that my credit card would not work. I thought that was a bit odd, but my debit card did work. Figured I’d give a heads up to all of you about these issues, as you will see them continue throughout my trip.
Saturday, October 12th
I had a good night of sleep at the AirBnB and made my way over to the area my spa booking was for today.
Before the spa I walked over to a nearby Starbucks, and listen, they had so many delicious things on their menu that we do not over here. The dulce de leche muffin, for example. So good. Also, my credit card tap worked just fine at this establishment.
I walked over to The Secret Acqua + Spa, where I had booked 2.5hrs of relaxation for myself.
Because of my card issues the night before, I asked them if I could pay before I began any of the pampering and guess what? Now neither my debit or credit card would work. Bullshit.
Thankfully there was a Shell gas station down the street and it had an ATM in it. A WORKING ATM, thank you. I was able to take out cash from my card and pay for my services with that. Again, total pain in the ass. I don’t understand how a fancy pants country like Chile was giving me a hard time with my cards when I had no issues in Peru, Brazil, or Colombia.
Now that I was stressed, guess I was lucky to be in a spa.
I got a package that consisted of 20-minutes of hydrotherapy, 1-hour full body massage and 1-hour cranial massage. With tip, the total came to like $201.00 CAD. Which is VERY good compared to what I would have paid in Toronto. My masseuse was great and I was happy with the experience.
After the spa, I took an Uber back to central Santiago. Before I went back to my AirBnB I figured I’d go find another ATM to take more money out and avoid any more embarassment.
Do you know I walked around for NINETY minutes in the center of the city, and finally on my seventh, yes SEVENTH, ATM was actually working? I literally walked the streets to find ATM after ATM that was not working or out of service. What the hell is that? I went to banks and convenience stores, just nothing. Eventually I had found AGAIN a damn gas station. I was able to take out cash there.
In the evening, I had another reservation at a place close to me named Sarita Colonia.
This place was cool as heck. You have to come eat here or at least drink here if you visit Santiago.
For my starter I had the catch of the day ceviche, which was good. Not as good as Peru, but good nonetheless. For my main course I chose this GORGEOUS gnocchi with Korean BBQ Braised Hake. Must. Must. Must. Order this if you come to the restaurant. For my dessert I had something called ‘the Princess’ which was just like chocolate and peanut butter stuff on the plate. This was just OK.
Sunday, October 13th
Today I was going on a whole-day tour!
Leaving early in the morning I was picked up in a van with about 12 other people, not a big group. Everyone was from everywhere and I even made a friend on the tour, who was also traveling alone. If you see this Garrett, HAAAAI FRIEND. Also, the tour guide, Cristian, LOVED HIM.
I hope if you book this tour, you are also lucky enough to have him as the person with you. He is so knowledgeable and fun. Really one of the best parts of the tour was him!
First stop was somewhere to use the bathroom and get some breakfast. I want all of you wine drinkers to know, there were FREE samples of wine on this stop. You might be interested.
From there we drove on to Vina del Mar. We got out of the van to see this cool flower clock that had been given to the city by Switzerland. Because of course, who else does clocks/watches like them? Gorgeous.
Then we drove over to Museo Fonck where I got to see one of the Moai! Never thought I’d see one of these without going to Easter Island, but here it was, in front of me. Pretty awesome part of the day.
Moving on we drove over to Valparaiso.
The first stop was a fish market where we got to see the ocean, some sea lions and the LARGEST PELICAN I HAVE EVER SEEN SINCE ZION WILLIAMSON. If two of those pelicans had it out for me, they probably could have lifted my fat ass and carried me over to Argentina. Massive birds.
Then we made our way over to the cable car which would take us up high to see a beautiful view of Valparaiso. Bring really good walking shoes on this trip, because you could walk for hours and have the best time, and probably get lost. If it wasn’t for Cristian, I’d definitely end up somewhere I wasn’t supposed to be.
All over there are really amazing murals painted, and there was a place called ‘The Yugoslav Passage’ which was hilarious to me, as a former Yugoslavian. Make sure you also stop by the abuela selling homemade alfajores. Was really happy to have the cash I’d taken out the night before in this moment. Delicious.
We stopped to have lunch at a place called El Terrat.
I definitely twisted both Garrett and Cristian’s arms to have a shot of tequila with me here. Strong twist.
This restaurant has a beautiful view and I had the salmon, which was HUGE and delicious.
From Valparaiso we went over to some fancy pants Vineyard for more wine tastings. As I do not drink wine, this wasn’t my thing. I just gave my glasses of wine to my new pal. If this had been rum or tequila? Then I would have been all in. If you love wine, clearly Chile is the place for you.
Then there was an hour ride home and the day was done.
If I return to Chile, I am going to land and head straight to Vina del Mar and/or Valparaiso. They are GORGEOUS cities. And although Santiago is cool, these two cities had so much more I wanted to see and walk around to explore. I hope I can come back to either one day.
If you are interested in this tour, this is the link to it here.
On Monday morning my flight was supposed to be super early, and then I was going to have a 4hrs layover in Bogota. Getting the email that the flight wouldn’t leave until two hours later was AWESOME. I would love to sleep in more, yes.
Unfortunately, when I got to the airport, the flight ended up being delayed another 90 minutes. My four hour layover went all the way down to 30 minutes. Shit.
If you have ever been through customs in Bogota, you know it can also take a while. My biggest regret was not stocking up on food in Santiago airport. Because when the plane landed in Bogota? Myself and the other 10 or so Toronto people trying to make that connection had to RUN THROUGH the airport to make it in time. We were the last ones to board, but we did make it, yay. Unfortunately there was no time to grab water or food. So basically I didn’t eat any real food from morning until late at night when I got back to Toronto. Felt like absolute hell. Do not recommend.
I do recommend Chile though! I loved it and felt very safe as a solo traveler.
Minus the stupid card issues, you should be smarter than me and just buy the damn currency in cash. I hate buying local currency, but this is one of those situations that it is necessary.
- Mirna
