The next day we bussed 3 kilometers over to Viña del Mar, Spanish for Vineyard of the Sea, known locally as La Ciudad Jardin, or Garden City.
The flower clock with a working second hand. Get too close and it will whack you.
On our way to the beach, the good school girls were heading in the opposite direction to class.
Meanwhile, the naughty girls were playing hookie from school at the beach, seen here moments before relieving themselves of their vestments and swimming.
The upwelling Antarctic Humboldt Current made the water too cold to enjoy until later in the austral summer, though we did enjoy the sand and sun.
The lazy pelicans fought for dominance on the rocks......
While their industrious cousins sky-dive for fish. It was fun to watch the birds dive for food and swim underwater.
Further down the shore, sand creations were on display, and the International Avocado Society's World Avocado Conference was getting into full swing.
Viña's coat of arms features poodle-like sea lions. I wonder if any local schools have a sea lion mascot?
The municipal park was a nice place to rest after lunch.
Before catching the bus back to Santiago, we passed the Congresso Nacional, built by Pinochet to keep the Congress in a different city than the executive branch. Apparently the politicos are not real popular in Valpraiso either, and there is a move afoot to send congress back to Santiago.It was nice to get back home after our first overnight trip in Chile. It seems that a new home seem more inviting after a trip.
2 comments:
It's really a pleasure reading your blog. As an inspiring FSO I'm thrilled to read about your daily adventures. The pictures you take are absolutely beautiful. How I envy all the delicious dishes you encounter daily! Keep up the good work please!
Happy Holidays to you and your beautiful wife!!!
Dear Buttterfly, Thanks for your kind words. I'm happy that you have taken the time to read my blog. Would you grant me access to read yours? Currently I am blocked from accessing it.
Regards,
FSO GT
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