Reality Tour, South America: Valparaiso has utterly charmed me!

The poet Pablo Neruda made a home here in Valparaiso which is now a museum and open to the public.

Pablo Neruda Home

While there is a nominal cost to go inside, the fantastic views from the patio are priceless. Self guided with the help of an audio guide (English version available), we set out to explore the small, charming house of five floors including the outside terrace. As a writer, I applaud the poet’s decision to face his desk toward the endless Pacific. The ocean views and cramped smattering of colorful homes that tumble below his perch toward the harbor are quite inspiring.

Lunch was at a restaurant overlooking the harbor. The seafood is delicious and the conversation with our fellow passengers flows as easily as the wine! Though the tour is dubbed Wines and Wonders, you can easily wash down any meal with some beer shared the South American way– in liter bottles. So far the brands I have seen are Cristal and Escudo. Over lunch (Shrimp Crepes…YUM!) , Debbie and I hear intriguing hear stories about our groups’ travels… Israel, Kenya, China, Poland, Russia—the list is endless. Our new friends certainly are a well-traveled group!

Dining with fellow travelers: Debbie with Lavinia; me with Marian & Maggie... and shrimp crepes!

Looking at local craftmanship - souvenirs!

We head to Plaza Sotomayor, located in front of the light-blue wedding cakethat is the former setting of Chile’s naval headquarters, and do a bit of street shopping before boarding the coach for Vina Del Mar.

The city, also known as ‘the Garden City’ was founded in 1874 by the engineer Jose Francisco Vergara Echevers, and has grown into Chile’s most luxurious beach resort town, attracting

Valapraiso has some very cute things!

visitors from all over the world. And what’s not to love? Vina Del Mar has a tropical atmosphere with its grand tree lined streets, horse drawn carriages, winding coastal route, and vast stretches of soft white sand.

Kevin instructed the motor coach driver to pull over at Playa Reñaca where we took off our shoes and put our feet in the cold surf. While it was not my first dip in the Pacific Ocean, it was my first time doing so south of the equator.

On the beach! That's Marian in the middle!

All in all, a pretty heavenly day!

-Melissa

Tags: Chile, Optional Tour, Reality Tour, South America