Valparaíso & Viña del Mar, Chile (2009)

After the bulk of our Chilean holiday in the Atacama desert and Easter Island, we spent a few days around Santiago—particularly the nearby beach towns of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Valparaíso was reminiscent of San Francisco, California due to it’s seaside hills and city color. Viña del Mar was more like a Las Vegas by the sea, more done up and ritzy.

The view from our hostal.

While the US news was buzzing about the election of Supreme Court Justice Sotamayor, we passed by a plaza called Sotamayor.

Pablo Neruda was a famous leader in Chilean history. Here is one of his houses.

There were intricately-designed homes speckled throughout the hillside.

Every home had a splash of color.

The old, abandoned, graffiti’d buildings still had a sense of elegance and beauty to them.

Actually, the graffiti was really amazing, leaving no wall untouched.

Is this even graffiti anymore?

The streets were an outdoor art museum.

Carmel makes a new friend.

Josh makes a new friend.

Next, we made it over to the decadent town of Viña del Mar. A casino with palm trees can be seen in the background.

Ice cream by the boardwalk.

A look out to the sea.

We had a yummy meal overlooking the water.

These guys ensure that Nemo does not illegally enter Chile.

A nearby castle.

Another castle.

Castle view.

Ciao!