Day 10 - Santiago - Cerro Santa Cristobal

We spent the day touring around the lovely hill that is Santa Cristobal. This place is a little like stanley park only with many more activities for young and old alike. The hill is marked on two opposite ends by a gondola on one side and a Funicular on the other. You can pick up some tickets to ride up the gondola, tour the park and then ride down the funicular into the trendy neighborhood of Bellavista.

The gondola makes one stop in the middle of the park where there is a swimming pool (outdoor and gorgeous) as well as multiple picnic areas and a wonderful area for kids to play in. We were very pleasantly surprised to see the number of playgrounds throughout the city and found them to be far superior to the ones we have back at home.

We continued onwards to the end of the gondola run where the lovely virgin mary sits atop the highest peak and gazes lovingly to the people below. It would probably make for a pretty humbling experience if it weren't for the 3-4 giant cell towers behind her. Nice touch.

We rode the funicular down the steep hill and meandered around Bellavista below. The area is much like Main Street with it's funky shops and little restaurants. There was also a little tourist trap called "Patio Bellavista" hawking all sorts of wares. Down the street from there we found a more "real" market with stuff going for around 30 to 40% less money.

We ended our little escapade at a place called La Mia Papa which was recommended by the Lonely Planet. The dinner was buffet style and went for about $25CDN. Sounds steep but it's ALL YOU CAN DRINK AND EAT. Drinks included hard and soft liquor and pretty much as many Pisco Sours as you can handle. The food was pretty good and there was a very wide range of sides on top of very tender well done steaks and chicken. I believe they also had blood sausage which we avoided. I went a little overboard and managed render myself unable to eat much while I was dazed from merely two drinks. So sad. Anyone with a decent tolerance would get their money's worth! Lucky that Sandy had an appetite and made our trip worthwhile :)

written by

yungwesl on January 16, 2009 from Santiago, Chile

from the travel blog: Sandy and Wes in South America

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Well .I am planning to travel Santiago next year . Firstly , I want to know its best and wonderful place to visit .Secondly , I have to find a suitable accommodation or hotel for my staying , that's why , I need a tourguid to tell me something about them , otherwise, I might have some difficulty...
thanks in advance !!!

written by Beijinger on June 29, 2009

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