Day 7 Santiago, Chile

Slow morning, not sure why.

I think Stuart did some more washing....

He has a gadget called a scrubber, which makes bathroom/ sink washing very easy.

I think he really likes it. 

Anyhoo, today we feel the need to have more adventures and to start with we head off to Parque Metropolitano, about 10 mins walk from the hotel.

This area on the outskirts of the CBD is hugely popular with cyclists, mainly coz it is a very big hill to ride down very fast.There is a cable car to take you up to the top.

The view across Santiago is pretty impressive albeit hazy, but you get the idea

There a public swimming pools and a very tall Virgin Mary.

After our obligatory ice block, we catch a funicular down to the flat again.

 A short walk from there we come across Patio Bellavista. I thought it was going to be an artisan market and there a few arty shops there but mostly it is loads of nice looking restaurants.

We are going to join a free walking tour this afternoon for a little education. So we head off to the Museo national de belles Artes, which is the starting point of the tour.

We’ve done this walking tours in other places and they are always a bit of fun and you end up being a little more informed. 

This one is called Tips for tours and you end up paying what you like.

The guides are dressed in red and white stripes and call themselves Wally. Easy to spot .....

It was educational, particularly in the social and political discussions that are so relevant at the moment here.

More street art, which seems to be a method of   protest and a social voice. Often artistic but appears there is always a message.

There is also some pretty ugly stuff but I will call that graffiti.

On a lighter note, the tour finishes on Lastarria st which is choc full of restaurants and bars.

Time for a refreshing beer and some dinner

Metro home but not before seeing the water cannons and tear gas being deployed just down the road.

Mmm, time to depart to the safety of the Sheraton, I think......