Pacific Trip and Last Day: Days 9 and 10

Pacific Trip and Last Day: Days 9 and 10

Sunday and Monday, March 14-15, 2004

Yet again our day began with exercises. Artie showed Den how to do a planche, a strength move that Artie has been doing since high school. These days he doesn't straighten both legs, but we are all proud that he has retained this ability to hold this position for 3 whole seconds!

Accompanied by Mónica, our gang drove to Valparaíso for the day. Our first stop was this famous ascensor, in continuous use since 1883. This city is known for these picturesque and antiquated means of climbing the steep hills of the city.

The two cars are connected by cables, so that the weight of the descending car helps to raise the ascending car. The fare is normally between 15 and 20 cents depending on the current exchange rate. Some ascensors charge 10 pesos more (1.6 cents) for the trip up than down.

The views both on the ride and from the top of the hill are spectacular, with a panoramic view of the Pacific coast, the bay, neighboring cities, the port area and the steep hills. This house is an often photographed landmark of Valparaíso.

Shopping for souvenirs is often a favorite activity at the top of the hill. Margy has always found something to buy here that would make a good gift. Cari followed her example and found some nice items too.

Not to be outdone as a successful shopper, that hat that Den is wearing is something that he found at the Concha y Toro Winery gift shop on day 7!

Here is a stop we made at the top. The price is Chilean pesos. It cost the same as the ride up.

We also stopped for a picture in the lookout gazebo at the top. Den snuck a picture of this llama, even though its owner was charging a fee.

We were intrigued by the huge cruise ship in the port and inquired if tours were available. Sadly they weren't, but we went aboard the replica wooden ship from colonial days.

We thought it was fun to pose for a picture while we were aboard with the modern ship in the background. Can you guess which ship we would prefer to sail on? Don't you see the cracks in the sides of the old ship? It probably wouldn't even float!

Mónica spotted this little dog while we were still in the port area, so we had to stop for her to cuddle it. It reminded us of the cute little dog that she had been taking care of for some of her Spanish students while they were vacationing. Click to see pictures of that dog on Valentine's Day. A new window will open.

After leaving the port area in the historic industrial city of Valparaíso, we drove north along the coast into Viña del Mar, just next door.

The floral clock is a landmark of this modern seaside city, a favorite vacation destination for both Chileans and foreigners, with its many modern condos.

We made a few stops along the coast road and saw seals in one place.

It was good that Cari carries binoculars. As for getting close, this statue, marking the spot to view their playground, was the only way that Margy could touch one.

Even without seals, this was a very picturesque place to enjoy the view.

The rocky coastline of Chile is certainly a beautiful place for sightseeing and picture taking.

We wondered about the people who live in this house. Could their view from the house be as marvelous as our view of the house nestled in the rocky shore?

Our last stop was the beach, where we tried the bubble maker that we had searched for unsuccessfully the last time the four of us were together in Maryland. Artie and Margy finally found one in the last few minutes during that USA trip. We had fun trying to make giant bubbles, and the children on the beach had fun trying to break them!

Departure: Day 10

Monday, March 14-15, 2004

On the final day and within the final hour of their first trip to Chile, Den and Cari stood at the airline counter, checking their bags for the flight home. It was a great trip, and in their bags they carried 2 cds filled with 2,281 photos, several bottles of Chilean wine, souvenirs and gifts. They were fortified for the long flight home with countless happy memories of a great vacation with their friends in Chile.

Thus ends the travelog of Den and Cari's Trip to Chile.

More pictures and stories about Artie and Margy's adventures in Chile can be found at their website.

Pacific Trip and Last Day: Days 9 and 10
Sunday and Monday, March 14-15, 2004

Yet again our day began with exercises. Artie showed Den how to do a planche, a strength move that Artie has been doing since high school. These days he doesn't straighten both legs, but we are all proud that he has retained this ability to hold this position for 3 whole seconds!

Accompanied by Mónica, our gang drove to Valparaíso for the day. Our first stop was this famous ascensor, in continuous use since 1883. This city is known for these picturesque and antiquated means of climbing the steep hills of the city.

The two cars are connected by cables, so that the weight of the descending car helps to raise the ascending car. The fare is normally between 15 and 20 cents depending on the current exchange rate. Some ascensors charge 10 pesos more (1.6 cents) for the trip up than down.
The views both on the ride and from the top of the hill are spectacular, with a panoramic view of the Pacific coast, the bay, neighboring cities, the port area and the steep hills. This house is an often photographed landmark of Valparaíso.

After leaving the port area in the historic industrial city of Valparaíso, we drove north along the coast into Viña del Mar, just next door.
		The floral clock is a landmark of this modern seaside city, a favorite vacation destination for both Chileans and foreigners, with its many modern condos.

We made a few stops along the coast road and saw seals in one place.
		It was good that Cari carries binoculars. As for getting close, this statue, marking the spot to view their playground, was the only way that Margy could touch one.
Even without seals, this was a very picturesque place to enjoy the view.