We returned our SUV to the airport Econorent not quite as good as new and really quite dirty. I think they expect that here. It was a great car, and there were no unexpected charges – not even an extra cleaning fee. I would definitely use Econorent again.
Total driving mileage: 2,764 km (1,714 mi) Total charge for 13 days' rental: $943. We got our money's worth!
Our LATAM Airlines flight from Puerto Montt arrived in Santiago just after noon. Tom and I both had window seats again, but the sky wasn't nearly as clear as it was two weeks ago. Still, it was a heck of a view.
Andes Mountains
In Santiago, we stayed again at the wonderful Hyatt Centric Las Condes. They let us check in two hours early, so we were able to relax in our room for a bit before heading out. There had been some really bad – and deadly – wildfires in this part of Chile while we were gone, and the sky was much smokier than before.
Luxurious Hyatt
We took the metro to La Moneda station in Santiago's centro, the oldest and busiest part of the city, then set out toward the presidential palace and then on to the city's main square, the Plaza de Armas. It was an interesting walk past ornate 19th century buildings next to glittering glass skyscrapers and old-fashioned statues alongside more modern “art.” We spent a long time wandering through a huge area of paseos – pedestrian-only streets lined with cafes and all manner of shopping.
Easter Island Moai statue
Palacio de La Moneda presidential offices
Bolsa de Comercio stock exchange building
Niños in a fountain
Just as we reached the Plaza de Armas, we were practically run down by a bunch of motorcycle cops escorting a hearse that had to be carrying somebody pretty important. Later, we found out the procession was for former Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, who had drowned the day before when the helicopter he was piloting plunged into a lake. Before crashing, he managed to bring the helicopter into a position where his three passengers were able to safely evacuate. The man died a hero.
Police escort hearse carrying former President Piñera
We took the time to walk through the Museum of National History of Chile, but it would have been more interesting if we understood more Spanish. Photography of most of the exhibits wasn't allowed, but we did take one photo of a sculpture.
Museo Historico Nacional
Glasses broken by former President Allende during 1973 suicide
Correo Central post office
Before leaving the Plaza de Armas, we decided to pop our heads into the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago. Wow! We've seen a lot of over-the-top cathedrals all over the world, and this one ranks right up there.
Catedral Metropolitana de Santiago de Chile
Inside the cathedral
At the eastern edge of centro is a well-manicured park occupying Cerro Santa Lucia, a small hill rising incongruously from the mostly flat terrain of central Santiago. A network of increasingly steep trails and stone steps lead to the Torre Mirador at the top. It was so smoky today, we almost skipped the hill, thinking the views wouldn't be worth the effort. I'm glad we didn't miss it.
Steep ascent of Cerro Santa Lucia
Torre Mirador
Slice of Santiago
Cerro San Cristobal
Fuente Neptuno
We caught the metro back as far as Tobalaba station and quickly happened upon a German beer hall called Elkika Ilmenau. The food was great and the beer was even better, but we especially loved the atmosphere. What fun!
German-Chilean beer hall
Finally, we limped our way back to the hotel. Even utilizing the metro, we'd walked more than 5 miles today in the 95-degree heat. Later, we enjoyed a final relaxing evening beside the Hyatt's rooftop pool.
Santiago after dark
Jana claims Chile – or at least the Hyatt