From Vino to Vina

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Trip Start Feb 17, 2008 Previous
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  Concon, Chile
Monday, February 25, 2008

We got our things packed and ready to go - stopped by Hamoody's for some last minute work regarding the credit card situation and then headed out of town.  It was a straight shot from our hotel to the highway leading to the coast so that was easy enough.  We saw some different parts of Santiago on the way and then the landscape changed - we felt as though we were driving in Arizona/California - the landscape, terrain and the highway all felt familiar to us.  We passed through a couple of tunnels and when we emerged from the final one - we were in the Casablanca Valley.  The lush green landscape below us told us that there were grapes on the vine and we were close to the vineyards and tasting rooms!  We stopped at a couple different wineries and bought some of the areas finest wines - Carmenere - Pinot Noir (Very good Annie)  Sauvignon Blanc - Cab/Syrah Rose (for drinking in the hot afternoon sun) and a very 'yummy' Carignan.  I think 'yummy' is about as technical as I can get - but seriously - they were really first class wines.  Morande Vineyard and Casas del Bosque were the two that we bought from and we are looking forward to enjoying them all on the balcony of our room.
 
We arrived in Valparaiso and decided to find the car rental return location so that Monday morning we don't have any added stress in returning the car.  We think we also found the cruise ship terminal and they are both close to each other - so that is good.  It certainly should be obvious Monday with a large cruise ship in port!  We then began our drive to Vina del Mar.  The traffic was already bumper to bumper and the people on the beaches - the sidewalks - sitting in the restaurants and cafes were numerous.  What a great - but very busy - seaside resort town.  This I believe is not only due to the fact that it is summer - but with the music festival happening - there was a lot of extra activity.  We were in stop and go traffic for about an hour before reaching our hotel - how nice it was - directly on the rocky cliffs above the ocean - the balconies looked charming - and we could already taste the wine we were about to enjoy on our balcony. 
 
Jim waited in the car while I went in to make sure everything was in order - I had reconfirmed the reservation just a week ago.  I walk in - give my name and the two desk agents look at each other and start speaking to each other in Spanish....LONG story short - the day (or two) before they did their pre-authorizations on their reservations - and guess which credit card they had for us.....well, since it came back declined they cancelled our reservation and gave our room away.  I won't go into all the details about what transpired and was said next - but let's just say it was a very good thing that Jim was in the car because I don't think that they could have handled both of us.  I made it known that I was not pleased - especially since the reservations were made 6 months ago and that I reconfirmed with Claudia just the week before - and how could they not wait to see if we showed up before canceling our reservation.  What if they had the wrong credit card number written down - etc. - could be many different possibilities as to what happened.  They were immediately on the phone trying to find us a room elsewhere.... there was mention of a youth hostel in town....I said I didn't think so - then they gave us directions to the Radisson further up the coast - further away from Vina del Mar - but at this point in time and after the traffic we encountered I really didn't care if I saw Vina del Mar or not except on the way out of town Monday.  By this time Jim is wondering what is happening and he comes in and I manage to get him back out to the car without having to tell him exactly what was happening.  I of course have to explain to him as we are driving in the bumper to bumper traffic and he is NOT amused. 

We arrive at the Radisson - also on the ocean - built on the rocks above the Ocean and from what I can see it is beautiful - maybe this won't be so bad after all.  The staff is very friendly and accommodating - we are taken to a wonderful room - have a nice private balcony with a Jacuzzi overlooking the Ocean - this might be perfect.  We ask if we can stay two nights and they are happy to oblige.  The room is a bit on the small side - but the front 'wall' is all windows opening up to the ocean the view is larger than life and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below is almost deafening at times.  We are thinking that we might not leave ever - although our next accommodations will also have the same type of view - just minus the rocks below - at least I hope!
 
We got organized - had a drink - and then went out to find dinner - we had a simple little meal - but with a great view - and then went back to our room - Jim smoked a cigar and I enjoyed the outdoor Jacuzzi while we both had a drink.  I am becoming a big fan of the Pisco Sour - and maybe had one too many - or it was a combination of all things that put me to sleep like a baby.  We slept with the windows open all night and it was a great end to a bit of a crazy day.
 
Sunday we enjoyed the view all morning long - had breakfast and then set out for a drive further up the coast.  We drove along the beaches for a while - then entered an area full of sand dunes.  Then next we drove basically right through the middle of a huge oil refinery/terminal and Jim was very excited about that.  We ducked into a town that must be mostly workers in this field - and then proceeded back out to the main road and checked out a couple more towns - the last one being a nice beach town called Maitencillo and this was the most charming of all. We had lunch at a very nice restaurant called Puntamai - had fresh fish and shrimp - Pisco Sour and yet another local beer.
 
We are now back at the hotel - the wine is being chilled down as I finish this and we will enjoy the evening and sunset from our hotel - which is just beautiful. 

Tomorrow we head to Valparaiso and board the ship.  Not sure how often we can upload our journal entries - but eventually they will all be posted.  We are really looking forward to seeing more of Chile - it is such a beautiful country - it has greatly exceeded our expectations.  Would it be too far for people to come visit if we decided to live here too?  Just curious.

One last thing - Happy Birthday Sharon - hope you are celebrating somewhere fun - we tried to call you but imagine that you are away from Munich this weekend.  
 
Hasta Luego!

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