Hello Santiago!

Me drinking/eating a stewed peach and shelled wheat drink... surprisingly good x

Catedral Metropolitana

Santa Lucia

After a very quick flight we arrived in Santiago (50mins early thanks to the yuck weather in Auckland) and man it is brown, this place does not get much rain. Very well planned city with wide tree lined streets laid out in a grid, easy to navigate. It has a very safe chilled vibe about it and it really easy to get around. We took a nice stroll (read vertical hike in 35 degree heat) nup Santa Lucia a lovely green area close to town where a fortress and monestry use to be. I am not good with the heat at the best of times, but coming from Aucklands fabulous summer I felt completly suffocated unlike F who doesnt seem to notice... Its stunning up here what a great view of Santiago and its surrounding mountains, tarnised with smog. F first of many Chilean steaks was on the menu for dinner and i had the chicken - was just beautiful. Early to bed after a day of travel, a little exploring, a little beer and too much food.

Day 2 saw us hit the musuems with the highlight being the history musueam that went through the different stages of Chile's history and really tested our very limited Spanish. The pre Columbian musuem was closed which was a such shame as it documents native lifestlyes per Columbus from Mexico all the way down the continent. The free tour in the afternoon took us through the different suburbs in Santiago with a very entertaining guide Daenile from Equador. A fabulous history and such diverse landscapes within Chile make me want to stay longer and explore. Santiago is well developed and very European in places with lots of alfresco dining. The heat is unbearable, although today was better than yesterday with a mild 40 degrees high (maybe im getting use to it). We ended up having a traditional Chilean dinner with our guide and new Australian friend Kim and a Chilean drink of beer with salt around the rim of the glass, about of shot of fresh lemon juice and tobassco sauce. As horrible as that sounds it was bloody good.

Overall, Santiago has been a really easy start to the trip with lots of good people, food and drink mixed in with some history.