Monday, Larry and I walked downtown to the Grand Torre
Santiago, the tallest building in South America….64 stories. Started in 2006,
it stopped construction due to the 2008 world financial crisis but was finally
completed in 2013 costing $1 billion US. A fabulous mall with anything that you could ever want was on the first six floors. Chileans are proud of this grand
structure usually stating its South American claim to fame.
Grand Torre Santiago
Santiago is the lovely capitol city of Chile. Tree lined streets.
Nice breezes. Clean. The area that we stayed in was the financial district often referred to as Sanhattan, a derivative of Santiago and Manhatten. Many executives chose to buy their homes here during the mid-20th century and eventually moved their businesses here so they would not have a commute into the city center. The City Center is highly congested with so much traffic.
Inside Grand Torre Santiago
Most executive homes are behind tall compounded walls giving complete privacy.
During our walks we have come across numerous fountains.....
a city garden....
and some cool old cars out for a Sunday drive.
Sky rises are everywhere.
The architecture is just incredible!
How about these individual hot tubs extended out to the side of this building?
Art is displayed often...
That's my man catching a few rays after our morning walk.
We asked our waiter one morning about the earthquakes here. He said that there are tremors daily in the country and that architects know how to build with rubber to keep the buildings secure. There is a lot of glass in the towers that surround us and it would be an unbelievable tragedy if a strong earthquake would occur.
Larry and I enjoyed the Hop on Hop Off Bus Tour while in Santiago. We walked about four blocks from our hotel and jumped on board. It had 13 stops that took about two and half hours if you remained on the bus without getting off. We hopped off at the San Cristobal Hill into the 722 hectares Metropolitan Park, the largest urban park in Chile.
A lot of shops and restaurants sat at the foot of the hill.
The funicular took us almost to the top of the mountain.
After walking up a bunch of steps, we finally arrived at the Virgin Mary that was placed here in 1904 from Rome, Italy.
While at the top we enjoyed a spectacular view of Santiago....even with some smog.
Pretty blooms adorned the area of the Virgin Mary
After a picnic lunch, we caught the bus for the remainder of the tour that pointed out lots of government buildings and historical points of the city.
National Museum of Bellas Artes
Palace de la Real Audiencia and the National History Museum
Statue on Plaza de Armas
Home of the President until 1959
Palace de Gobierno
" La Moneda"
This Palace was well guarded.
Tribunales de Justicia
Iglesia Catolica Ortodoxa de la Santisma Virgen Maria
Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Los Angelas
Larry and I ventured down into the subway to cross the street one day.
We discovered that the subway had its own shopping areas below the ground. This must provide convenience for the local commuters to grab their needed items while waiting for the subway.
Another day we rode the red line subway from Tobalaba, changing at Los Heros, onto the yellow line to Patronato to La Vega Central....a market and a hot spot for the locals shoppers.
Waiting for the yellow line.
Tons and tons of fruits and vegetables, nuts, spices, and meats....and loads of shoppers. The displays are very colorful.There was so much, it made me wonder how they all stayed in business. Which vendor would you choose to buy your tomatoes or potatoes?
There were dozens of open market shops to choose from! Larry and I found a great place to perch ourselves and just sat back to take all the activity in. It was an amazing way to watch the Chilean culture!
What colors!
While in Santiago the weather was just perfect….cool breezes in the morning and evenings with lots of gorgeous sunshine during the daytime that warmed up to the 80's.
Adios, Santiago....we are heading to Valparaesio, Chile to catch the P and O Ship, Arcadia.
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