Bill's Extraordinary Adventure: Vina del Mar and Valparaiso

On Saturday I took an all day bus trip to the coastal cities of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. The are right next to each other and are about 100 kilometers, a bit over an hour drive, from Santiago. The day started gray and with a low overcast, but the skies continued to brighten as we got closer to the coast and by the time we reached the coast we had beautiful blue sky that we enjoyed for the rest of the day. On our trip, we learned that the valley in which Santiago is located has ideal climate for the red grapes used in making red wine. This valley is bordered to the East by the majestic Andes Mountains. As we headed West towards the coast, we crossed into another valley with has a microclimate completely unsuitable for the growing or any wine grapes. Only table grapes are grown in that valley. Then we crossed into another valley, which has a climate ideal for growing white grapes for white wines. We saw many vineyards through there. Then we reached the coast, to our destinations, Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Though situated right next to one another, the two cities could not be more different. Valparaiso is and old port town, and has been declared a Cultural World Heritage site, so little modern construction has been allowed. Vina del Mar is a very modern city, having only been built in the last century when its founder managed to acquire the land from a Portugese family through his marriage. Valparaiso was once the most important port on the Pacific side of South America,as it was used by ships traveling around the tip of South America, either to prepare for the voyage or to make repairs to the ship after a voyage. When the Panama Canal was opened, Valparaiso no longer enjoyed the important position and the city has struggled economically ever since. Enough writing. Now for the pictures.

Crossing the first ridge out of Santiago

The next valley where wine grapes are not grown.

Vineyards in the Casablanca valley, where most of the white wines are produced.

A winery

Another winery

The vegetation changes considerably as we get closer to the coast.

Entering Vina del Mar, looking towards Valparaiso.

Valparaiso

Quinta Vergara, the home of the founder of Vina del Mar. It had been used as the Fine Arts Museum, but was severely damaged during the February 2010 earthquake.

Next to Quinta Vergara is this large music performance amphitheater, which hosts South America's largest music festival every year. Seating capacity is 15,000.

The grounds of Quinta Vergara. Trees from around the world were brought in, presumably before Customs instituted rules that prohibits bringing in even processed packaged agricultural products.