SCENES AROUND SOUTH AMERICA - SERIES #14

"Only a high as I can reach can I grow. Only as far as I travel, can I go. Only as deep as I look can I see. Only as much as I dream can I be." - Unknown Author

Feb. 24, 2013- Santiago, Chile

Yes, its true that travel makes a person grow in cultural knowledge. Travel widens ones perspective. Travel makes a dream become a reality. Welcome to the third segment of our 49 days cruise to South America. We joined a full-day excursions for in-transit passengers only. After approximately 2 hours drive from Valparaiso we reached the capital city of Santiago.

 

 

EBB IN FRONT OF LA MONEDA PALACE. THE SEAT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE. THE PRESIDENTIAL PALACE WHERE GENERAL PINOCHET STAGED HIS MILITARY COUP D'ETAT

                                RHOD IN FRONT OF LA MONEDA PALACE

THE PALACE IS BUILT IN A PURE ITALIAN NEOCLASSICAL STYLE W/ ROMAN DORIC, THAT EXISTS ONLY IN LATIN AMERICA. THE BUILDING'S WIDE HORIZONTAL SHAPE AND RECTANGULAR COMPOSITION CONVEYS STABILITY, ACCORDING TO THE PALACE LISTINGS ON THE UNESCO WEBSITE.

                               CLOSE-UP OF BUILDING DETAILS

 

                                                 PALACE GUARD
                                 

DOUBLE TREAT  FOR THE EYES - A COLORFUL CHILEAN FLAG ON THE LEFT & A GIANT TOWER ON THE RIGHT.

                               RHOD WITH POLICE GUARDS

                              WALKING THE STREETS OF SANTIAGO

                                            RHOD IN SANTIAGO

OUR TOUR BUS PASSING BY MERCADO CENTRAL IN SANTIAGO

 

VIBRANT & BRIGHT MURALS ALONG THE WAY

   

PLAZA DE ARMAS- HEART OF SANTIAGO DE CHILE'S HISTORIC DISTRICT.

 

PLAZA DE ARMAS

 

THE PLAZA IS A TYPICAL SQUARE FASHIONED AFTER THE MANY SPANISH CITY. THERE ARE PAINTERS SELLING MANY PAINTINGS. THE PLAZA DATES BACK TO THE MID - 1500 CENTURY.

 

THE PLAZA DE ARMAS IS  THE SOUL OF THE CITY.  SURROUNDED BY HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, FOUNTAINS, BUILDINGS THAT INCLUDE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF SANTIAGO IN THE BACKGROUND.  THE SQUARE IS COVERED WITH  SHADED PALM.

THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF SANTIAGO IS THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT PLAZA DE ARMAS. THE CATHEDRAL IS MAGNIFICENT IN SIZE BUT MORE SIMPLE IN ITS DESIGN.

 

CATHEDRAL INTERIOR. NOT AS ORNAMENTAL AS THOSE  CHURCHES IN SPAIN.

 

                              CONTRASTING OLD AND NEW ARCHITECTURES

     IN FRONT OF THE ORNAMENTAL NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM

AT THE ENTRANCE OF NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM (PLAZA DE ARMAS)

PALACIO DE LA REAL AUDENCIA, HOST OF THE MUSEUM OF HISTORY.

                               MANY MODERN BUILDINGS IN SANTIAGO
                                     

             BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF SANTIAGO FROM A HILLTOP

                                CLOSE UP VIEW OF SANTIAGO

                                            EBB W/ THE TOWER

                                            RHOD W/ TOWER
 

ENJOYING LUNCH AT A RESTAURANT OVERLOOKING SANTIAGO

 

CULTURA PLAZA

 

ADIOS! HASTA LA VISTA SANTIAGO! HASTA LA VISTA AMIGAS & AMIGOS!