Santiago. The Chilean capital and home to nearly 5 million people. Santiago lies at the foot of the Andes, the highest mountain range in the world, outside Asia. It is thought of as one of the most cosmopolitan of cities in South America.
First impressions? Smart med-style cafes and skyscrapers but they are in sharp contrast to the shanty towns near the airport. Santiago is a modern metropolis but this is most definitely a third world country.
Not much time to explore Santiago and to be honest, a hot shower and flaking out in the hotel room, after 15 hours in the middle row of cattle class, was the right move.
Tomorrow morning, we fly 1500 miles further south to Ushuaia, the southern most city in the world and the gateway to The Beagle Channel.
Off to dinner, definitely going to be a steak and some Chilean Cab Sav.
Louay
