For the Christmas days we went to Valparaiso, formerly the biggest American port in the Pacific, until the Panama canal was opened in 1914.

Valparaiso was the most beautiful city of our journey so far. Macchu Pichu has a great Inca culture on top of a mountain, the Iguazu falls are just majestic, but the city flair in Valparaiso is just marvellous. Hills rising straight from the shore make the exploring a real exercise, but the ascensores (lifts) that allow people to avoid having to climb 50 meter staircases for some 20 AU cents as well as the colourful houses make it worthwhile.

Some modern culture, grafitis, punks on the streets and poverty mix with just beautiful restaurants, cafes and bars .

In search for beach we took the bus to the neighbouring Vina del Mar, where we jumped in at least once, only to discover that the Pacific is rather freezing and we are better off playing DDC on the beach.