Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

After about five days in Santiago some friends suggested a day trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. I'd been told by many other travelers and friends that they were both cities that warrented a visit; especially being only an hour and a half from Santiago. Valparaíso is an eclectic port city spreading into the hills that overlook the ocean. There are many colorful, rundown buildings, many covered in graffiti on winding cobblestone streets. It is an interesting place because locals look at graffiti as a form of art and officials don't stop graffiti artists from doing there thing. Ideally I would have liked to have spent at least a few weeks exploring the area, but that wasn't an option for right now.

Valparaíso - the bay

Typical rundown streets - Cerro Concepción


Impressive street art


Cerro Concepción neighborhood

Coffe, Camila, Felipe


More street art


There were many random dogs throughout the city


Felipe, random dog, Brit


Myself looking somewhat awkward in the alley to a small restaurant famous for its chorrillana, which is a plate of french fries covered in scrambled eggs, onions and steak. Amazingly tasty and equally greasy.


Chorrillana and Escudo


Valpo and Avenida España

Just north of Valparaíso is Viña del Mar which is a more upscale, resort town with many high rise condos, bars, restaurants and beaches.

The coast and Valparaíso


Condos


Reñaca Beach - And so begins the Coffe Show


It seemed like a good idea at the time...


At least he tried

Reñaca Beach condos