Stunning Santiago

Two previous days of rain in Santiago and snow in the surrounding Andes made for a picture perfect morning on the top of San Cristobal hill overlooking this fouth largest city in South America with its 8 million people. Our tour guide, Bernardo, was superb taking us on a five hour tour that included two botanical gardens, the Cathedral, the La Moneda Government Place, the outstanding Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, the San Francisco Church and the Santa Lucia hill (where Santiago was founded in 1541). The day started with 32 degree temps and rose to a high of 54. Lunch at Tip y Top was outstanding which was followed by a workout for Clark and a massage for Dad at the Ritz Carlton, where we are staying. This city is absolutely stunning and the people are most attractive and fashionably dressed. Tonight´s dinner will be at Coco Loco, one of Santiago´s best for seafood. We are mighty grateful to the Santiago Ritz Carlton´s high tech business center for finally providing an opportunity to download numerous memorable photos highlighting our stops during the first week! Hard to believe we have only been here a week with all we have seen and miles we have traveled. Tomorrow it´s off to Patagonia and the Hotel Explora-Salto Chico in Torres del Paine National Park - a 600,000 acre National Park with stunning mountains, glaciers, fjords, wildlife galore and 16 options for explorations - talk about choice anxiety!! We have no idea if we will be able to send postings and photos from the southern end of the continent, so stay tuned until we can reconnect with you. Buenas Noche!