Day 2-4 – Santiago, Valparaiso and being tourist

So after the first relaxing day at the hostel meeting new friends and drinking a few beers, Monday it was time to be tourist in the largest city of Chile. 6 million people live here and that require some space – see the pictures later.

The plan was to go to a local BMW Motorrad shop to get some motoroil – first good lesson in spanish as no one could speak a little english – then walking through the city to Sky Costanera which is the single highest building in Southamerica reaching 300m with a viewpoint in the top. After that walking on to the San Cristobal heights and monument – the gondola was off for repair, so another 2 hour hike to the top in 30+ degr.

Sky Costanera
Big city of Santiago
San Cristobal

The day after I was supposed to go get the bike, but the strike had created some delays in taking the container out to the warehouse – so perhaps Wednesday or Friday was the next possible options. Thursday 8th was a public holiday so all was closed.

Having followed another dane Ulrik on his adventures in Southamerica, I decided to pay him a visit in Valparaiso at the pasific coast – so left Santiago by local bus for a really nice B&B (Pontoval B&B) on the hills run by Ernst from Schwizterland. We had some fun hours and a few beers sharing stories from our travels and tips&tricks. He was flying home for Christmas in Denmark the day after and will be back in January.

Skyline of Valparaiso from the B&B

And so it became wednesday – no message from the freight company yet, so I decided to join a french couple on a tour of Valparaiso, with a local guide as the city is not totally safe. It was a 3,5 hour intens tour with lot of background information – it was free but the guide earned his living by tips – and he was good and got good tips.
During the tour the freight company wrote to me that I could come and get the bike this afternoon – I “just” had to be a the notary within 1,5 hour – and I’m 3 hours north of San Antonio – damn. So I wrote the handler if I could come later the same day, and he answered in polish and then called me and in speedy spanish informed me to come Friday morning – or at least that is what I think he said… So have requested some assistance from the freight company to ensure that Friday will be the day.

Three or more of the 42 Cerro’s of Valparaiso
One of many stairs to climb – and don’t go at night or alone (crime)
Typical street of old Valparaiso

And by the way, I just checked that I again could track the bike and luggage – those small Apple AirTags really are smart. The bike is now at the warehouse in San Antonio, and I’m happy.

From Finder of the Apple AirTag

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