The Journey to Santiago Airport

The Quest docked in Antonio Chile around 7am Sunday. After our breakfast and farewells to new friends and favorite crew, we boarded a bus for a day of sightseeing and airport transfers to Santiago. Passing scenic farms and vineyards in the hilly countryside, devastation from the civil unrest in the area was not obvious until we neared the city of Valparaiso. Then, the scars of protests were everywhere. Sunday morning was eerily quiet on the city streets but the destruction was loud. So sad to see a beautiful seaside city shutdown in ruin. Apparently, the mobs have subsided a bit as it’s now summer break. Once all are back on schedule in mid-March, the havoc could erupt again. 

The first stop was the funicular for a panoramic view of the Valparaiso. It was our second brush with death of the trip. Old, rickety and perhaps sabotaged by rioters, we all wondered what could go wrong as we squeaked up the mountainside clutching our valuables.  Once on top, it was a decent view but not worth the worry. I did buy an awesome alpaca hoodie for $22 though. 

Next, we went to a beach town, Viña del Mar and stopped for a quick museum break at the Fonck. Lunch was in the Casablanca Valley at Puro Caballo, a typical Chilean horse stable. It was a really special setting with some horse dancing to boot. Onwards to the Santiago Airport with five-plus hours to kill. If all goes well, we’ll be home in Marco before noon Monday.