Funiculars, streets and dogs

Kevin

Monday 7th January

It was quite overcast initially, so we decided not to go to Vina, but to have a ride on some of the ascensors.

On the way down to the sea front, we went through some very narrow streets and had to negotiate the famous Chilean sleeping dogs.

The streets were a lot busier than yesterday (Sunday), and many more of the shops were open.

When we arrived in Santiago, we were sorry to see that there was not the mad rush of buses on the street. However here there are still loads of old buses, that whizz down the narrow streets. There are trolley buses as well.

We caught the Ascensor Artilleria up to the naval museum. Here from a café overlooking the sea, we watched lorries and cranes moving about cargo containers. It was a bit like manipulating a Rubik cube. Also in the harbour was a big cruise liner.

Ascensor Artilleria

Another nameless lift

Back down again, we moved on to Ascensor El Paral, which you go through a building to reach. It took us up to Cerro Allegre and Cerro Concepcion, where you can do a walking tours to see the brightly painted houses. The Palacio Baburizza was the most elaborate, built in 1916 by a nitrate baron.

Ascensor El Paral

Palacio Baburizza

We had a drink at Café Turri, and watched the boats out in the bay.

As time was getting on er descended Ascensor La Concecion and headed to Bambu, the vegetarian restaurant. Unfortunately it was open. We should have known better when half the things we wanted were not available. We both received brown, cold, inedible masses, and Joan got warm water in a dirty glass. We didn’t stay!!

Instead we headed back up to Turri Café, where we ate a marvellous dinner on a balcony as the sun went down.