Valparaiso

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Valparaiso

Valparaiso

February 20-22, 2003

Valparaiso is an old town that has seen better days - but loaded with quirky character. It is said to be one of Chile's most unique and interesting cities, and I agree. The town was built higgledy-piggeldy on the steep hills surrounding a circular bay - one of the best natural harbors in Pacific South America, and once a very important stop for whalers, gold miners and other traffic going "round the horn." Today, although its economic importance has faded, its vibrancy, quirky architecture and interesting inhabitants remain.



	The streets are chaotic and filled with unusual houses painted in vibrant colors. This one is a couple of blocks from the guesthouse where I stayed. click here to enlarge



	A good way to get an overview of the city layout is on a boat ride with a captain like this one. click here to enlarge



	This blurry picture shows a typical neighborhood going up the hills. click here to enlarge.



	Another view of the harbor. click here to enlarge



	Dozens of rickety "Acensors", or funicular railways, built in the victorian times are still functioning and will give you a lift up the hills to the city's neighborhoods for around ten cents. click here to enlarge



	A typical hillside neighborhood. click here to enlarge



	One of the original houses, now restored as a b&b. click here to enlarge



	The beach at Viña del Mar, a popular resort town near Valparaiso. click here to enlarge



	A nearby vineyard. The landscape in this part of Chile very much resembles California. click here to enlarge



	The house of Pablo Neruda, Chile's most famous poet, at Isla Negra, a small town about an hour south of Valparaiso. click here to enlarge



	Pablo and his friends used to drink cocktails in this boat. click here to enlarge



	The beach at Isla Negra. click here to enlarge



	There was a party going on at my guesthouse - the owner's college-age sons were in town! click here to enlarge



	Lots of fun was had that night. I almost missed my bus to the Santiago airport the next day. But that wouldn't have been so bad, after all. click here to enlarge