Today I had nothing planned, so it was nice to sleep in!! No where to rush off to, and no tours needing me to be awake and ready, waiting in the foyer.
After breakfast, I decided that I was going to spend my last day in Santiago just walking around. It is definitely the best way to see the city!!
I had walked around the old part of town the other day on my city tour, so I didn't really want to head back there. The only place that I haven't really seen too well, was San Cristobal hill. Our city tour drove past this attraction, showing us the entry only, so I decided that this was going to be the place I would visit today!! So I pulled out my map, and worked out the best way to get there.
The walk there on paper doesn't look too bad. It's only about 15 blocks down, and about 10 blocks across!! I can do that!!
All prepared I set off. I walk down the street, and come across churches and museums, all of which are old and full of character!!! I quickly snap some photos as I walk past, trying not to get in the way of people on their way to work.
I soon find a narrow park, that runs along the river. This provides me with a beautifully green walkway, as I walk across the city. It also means that I don't have a stack of little streets that I need to cross, with the fear of being run down!!
Finally I reach the bridge, that allows me to cross to the other side of the river, and to a neighbourhood that is renowned for being bohemian. I walk past the university, and then turn down constitution st. I know I have made it, when I see the street lined with brightly coloured bars and restaurants. All shut, due to the fact that it is still quite early in the morning, however I know that when I return through this street later on, that this place will be pumping with young and hip Chileans and tourists alike.
I continue walking up constitution St, and eventually hit the gates that are to take me to San Cristobal Hill. I had to negotiate and weave through the multiple buses and coaches that are parked near the entrance way, and the endless stream of kindergarten and primary school children who have made their way here on a school excursion.
Once through the gate, I head straight to the large map, to work out my plan of attack. As I'm working it out, I meet a couple from Canada, who are also wanting to explore San Cristobal, so we have a quick chat. I then decide to see if I can get my hands on an individual map, that I know will make it easier once I'm in the park. I also grabbed one for Beverley and Tom, which they were very grateful for.
So the options are, I can either catch a funicular, or walk up the hill. Hmmmm, which one?!?! The tourist representative could see that I was struggling with the decision, so to help me out, he gave me some very helpful information. The climb up the hill was 6km, all up hill. He suggested that I take the funicular.... Sold!!
After paying my $4 for a return trip on the funicular, I line up to embark the carriage that will take me up the hill!! As I get in the line, I find my Canadian friends Beverley and Tom, and about 40 very excited primary school kids with their teachers!!
I get back to talking with Bev and Tom, and they go on to explain that they are just finishing up on their 22 day cruise from Canada to Chile, which they enjoyed immensely!!
We slowly edged our way to the front of the queue, and finally made our way on to the front carriage of the funicular. All aboard, and the funicular was off. Half way up the hill, the funicular stopped to allow people to get off at the zoo entrance. Wary of zoos, and not sure if I will like the habitats or enclosures that the animals are housed in, I decide to give the zoo a miss. Instead, opting just to head straight up to the top of the highest point in Santiago, San Cristobal.
The funicular continued, eventually stopping at the top of the hill. Everyone piled out, and I am drawn instantly to the panoramic view of Santiago. Whilst the view was hazy, due to the smog that always seems to blanket the city surrounded by mountains, it was still breathtaking!! If I looked really carefully, and used a little imagination, I could even see the snow capped peaks of the Andes through the smog!!
I then start to walk along the path, and head towards the large statue of the Virgin Mary, overlooking the city of Santiago. Whilst it isn't as big as Christ the Redeemer in Rio, it still provides a very large visual reference point in Santiago.
I then decide that whilst I am here, I will walk along the roadway, and go and look at the other gardens that this area has to offer!! I was about to set off, and I see Bev and Tom, and it appeared that they too are interested in having a look at the other gardens as well. So we all set off together.
We set off down the road, and soon realise that there is very little signage. We just hope that we are heading in the right direction.
We come across some amazing views of Santiago, and take the time to appreciate it!!
After walking for about an hour, we are reassured when we finally find a garden that appears on our map... we are so happy that we are heading in the right direction, and that we have found a garden to look at. We walk through the garden, which is broken up into the different regions of Chile.
We then continue on our way, until we finally arrive at the Japanese garden. This is where we wanted to get to. It was so beautiful, however very small!! We manage to walk around it within 10mins, which left me wondering was it worth the walk here??
Bev and Tom decided that they were going to continue down the hill, and go and see some of the newer neighbourhoods of Santiago, being the Beverley Hills neighbourhood. As I had been there a few days earlier on my city tour, I opted to head back up the hill!!
As I walked down San Cristobal Hill for close to 1.5 hrs, I now realise that I need to climb back up that hill. No need to put it off any longer, I need to start climbing!! So I bid a fond farewell to Bev and Tom, and head in the opposite direction.... up!
It wasn't nearly as bad as what I thought. There were lots of switchbacks, which made the climb more gentle, rather than straight up. I watched as a lot of mountain bikers struggle, peddling their little hearts out to make it up the hill, without needing to get off their bike and make the walk of shame!! I also saw the elation on their faces, once they had made their journey to the top, and had started their descend down the hill, like a bat out of hell, flying down the road!!
I soon found my way back to the top of the hill, and joined the queue to head back down to the heart of Santiago via the funicular.
I didn't have to wait long, the funicular arrived and I climbed aboard. We then descended down the hill.
I was greeted again by the bohemian neighbourhood, which now was completely open and booming. The colourful cafés and restaurants, now had tables and chairs along the footpath. Many of which, were now serving the clientele their mid afternoon snacks and drinks, with waiters busily running food and drinks from the restaurant to the tables.
I walked through the streets, and found my way back to the bridge that allowed me to recross the river and back to the long, narrow park that led me to the heart of Santiago.
Even though my feet would disagree, I wasn't quite ready to head back to my hotel room, so I made my way back to the artisan market. After picking up the last couple of items I wanted to get, it was now time to head back to the hotel.
As I reached the foyer, I decided that it was the right time for a cup of coffee. So I headed to Haiti. This cafe shop, is known as the coffee with legs, as the women serving there are all in the shortest skirts. However, if you can get over the whole sexiest side of this business, the coffee was actually amazing. So much so, I ended up going back to get a second cup. I so needed that!!
And that's how I spent the last day in Santiago!! Walking!!!
The only thing left to do now.... Pack my bag!!! This is going to be fun!! Tomorrow my journey continues, and I'm now on the daily countdown to flying home. You know you are close to going home, when you count the number of clean undies and realise that you have enough pairs to get home. No need to do anymore laundry!!! Now that's a good feeling!!