It's been a while since some of you asked me to write about my travels, a topic I would love to share with you more deeply, especially since I write about it in my books, even though it doesn't directly relate to the spine. As I often talk to you about well-being and ways to improve the self-esteem of those with scoliosis, I thought about this suggestion you gave me. I conducted a poll on Instagram, asking if you thought I should create a section on the website to talk about travel. The result was: that 75% of people responded that, yes, this would be cool to do. Since I love writing and traveling is the best investment in life for me, I was delighted to start this new project with an existing one. So, this post today is to launch the travel section on the website. And I'll start by talking about Chile on our honeymoon, a more than special trip I also mention in the second book "The Woman with the Crooked Spine." Oh, and there's no shortage of photos, which is always good for you to enjoy everything with me.
So let's explore a bit of Chile?
We started our trip on December 31, 2022, many hours before the flight, which was scheduled for the early hours of January 1. That's me! I like to go to the airport when I wake up, even if the plane only takes off at night. In this game, we used up all our VIP lounge credits at Guarulhos airport... imagine the newlywed's happiness. If he didn't fight with me there, he wouldn't fight anymore! We ate, drank (juices, tea, and water), and talked a lot. Nevertheless, time didn't seem to pass. We took advantage of it to make all the New Year's greetings right there, between bites of the sandwich. I also checked if I had won the New Year's Eve lottery, which didn't happen. At midnight, we were sipping a glass of sparkling wine in yet another VIP lounge – the last one allowed. Soon it would be time for our boarding.
I'm afraid of airplanes! I'm terrified. Who already knew that? When I entered that old LATAM plane, with peeling seats and not a single screen to distract me with a movie during the 4-hour flight, I started to panic. My hands got cold, my heart raced, and my mind wouldn't stop. Are you sure there's no movie or even headphones? No, nothing. I would have to endure the trip with nerves of steel. But that's what we have for today. Let's face it! I didn't sleep at all, as usual, and with every turn or shake, my panic said hello. When I finally managed to get a little sleep, Di woke me up with a startled movement. I thought we were falling. Then he told me he had forgotten the authorization to drive in Chile at home and that without it, half of our trip was lost. Since, for me, that was great news, considering that I woke up thinking we were going to crash into the Andes, I tried to calm him down. We would figure something out, for sure. Without the internet or any access to information, now he was the one freaking out. The only thing that distracted him was the impressive Andes, which we could see clearly during the sunrise through the window.
Beautiful!!!
Honeymoon in Santiago, Chile
Arriving at Santiago Airport, stress took over. We couldn't withdraw money from the ATM, even though we had authorized our card from Brazil. Moreover, we couldn't find any place to get information on how to drive around without authorization. We wandered around the entire airport, and after some time, we found a car rental agency. They explained that with our Brazilian passport and driver's license, we could rent a car and drive without any issues. Phew! After nearly 24 hours, we left the airport-airplane-airport loop and truly began our honeymoon. But wait, it gets worse!
· UGO Hotel
Located in Providencia, a very pleasant, calm, and beautiful neighborhood in Santiago, the Ugo Hotel completely surprised us. In addition to its wonderful location, it is modern, and charming, with well-cleaned and spacious rooms, and has a very attentive team at the front desk.
Upon arrival, we left our bags and went straight to breakfast, which, by the way, is quite comprehensive and good. My husband is a vegetarian, and they had some "milk" options for him made with almonds and other things, which is still rare in hotels. I go for the eggs, and the ones there are great! With a warm and well-fed belly, it was time to start exploring the city.
· Bicentennial Park
The heat was intense! During summer in South America, walking to the park felt like an endless journey, even though it took us only about 15 minutes at most. But enduring the heat was worthwhile. The place is incredibly beautiful! It's true that, unlike what we are accustomed to in Brazil, there's hardly any greenery, and everything is quite arid. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our time there. There were even flowers to brighten up our photos!
· Sky Costanera
Still on foot, we headed from the park straight to the tallest building in Latin America, the Sky Costanera. The truth is, we were very lucky that it was open because, on the first day of the year, places tend to be closed. Okay, I was practically sleepwalking since, as you well know, I didn't sleep at all on the plane. But the tour was amazing! We went up to the 62nd floor, and from there, we could see the Andes Mountains and the entire city from above. It yielded several great photos too.
· Termas Valle de Colina
On our second day, we decided to take a highly recommended tour in Chile, so we left the hotel early, around six in the morning. The van that arrived to pick us up wasn't exactly what I had imagined: small, low, with few seats, and a bit suffocating for those sitting in the back, precisely where Di and I were. But let's go, right? All for a beautiful tour. Since it was very early, we stopped at a convenience store to buy things to eat on the way. My Taurus husband, as greedy as ever, bought a bag full of junk, as it couldn't be otherwise, ahahahahaha. The journey to the hot springs is very beautiful and includes a strategic stop for photos with the San José Volcano in the background.
Arriving up there, amidst the Andes, we came across several cars, buses, and other vans. People were also not lacking. Despite the strong sun, the temperature dropped, and from 30 degrees in the city, we began to feel the 13 degrees of the mountains. Delightful. A refreshing break from all that heat the day before. When we got closer to the hot springs, we could better see the beauty of the natural pools formed by volcanic hot waters. The clearer the water, the hotter it was. So much so that the clearest one of all was empty because just putting our foot in it gave us the sensation of burned skin. Changing room, swimsuit, swim trunks, and let's get into the sulfuric pools due to the volcano. The photo here, photo there, we spent a good time in the waters, having fun with the poses that people were doing to get the most Instagrammable photo of their lives.
When we returned to the van, already wearing jackets and with wet clothes in the backpack, the driver had prepared a very nice picnic for our group.
As nothing is easy in this life and, for what is a honeymoon without adventure, when we were descending the mountain to return to Santiago (once again, Di and I in the claustrophobic back seats), the driver stopped the van out of nowhere. I saw that he was talking to some colleagues on the opposite side of ours, going up the mountain. Suddenly, he made a sharp turn and went back too. Fire!!! Yes, the road was taken over by a fire that had just started. Amid the firefighter's siren and helicopter overflight, we stopped in a space near some rocks to observe and figure out what to do. But was there still any doubt? Crossing the fire was not an option for me. Not even if I slept in the Andes.
What was supposed to be a brief pit stop turned into something with no predicted end. Due to the smoke and soot in the air, we had to go back many kilometers and ended up in one of the oldest villages in the region, Villorrio Volcano. We rationed water, the snacks everyone had bought in the little shop in the morning, and activated our patience mode – which I don't have any, in this case. With almost no cellphone signal, time seemed to stand still as we observed nature. After many hours, the road was finally cleared. Passing through the smoke with the van's windows all closed almost made me faint, but it was quick, and we soon opened the windows. Finally, we arrived at the hotel almost at eleven at night, exhausted and smoked. All the tours to that region were canceled in the following days due to the fire.
· Santiago Downtown
Already recovered and with breakfast taken, we went to explore the center of Santiago. First stop: Cerro Santa Lucía. We found the park beautiful, well-maintained, full of flowers, and fountains, and with a lookout point for a view of the city.
Afterward, we visited Plaza de Armas, the National Congress of Chile, the Supreme Court, La Moneda Palace, and the National Historical Museum. But what I liked the most was the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago. It's beautiful and imposing, and we could visit it peacefully.
For lunch, we stopped at a highly recommended restaurant, Aquí está Coco. Indeed, it's very good!!! My tres leches dessert was sensational. But the price is high. By the way, eating in Chile is quite expensive.
· Mestizo Restaurant
This restaurant is a must for anyone going to Santiago. A friend of ours in São Paulo had already given us the tip, so we made a reservation from Brazil before the trip. Mestizo is located inside Parque Bicentenario, the one we visited on the first day of the trip, and besides the wonderful food, catching the sunset from one of the balcony tables is spectacular. It's worth mentioning that in the summer, the sun sets around 9 PM, so the suggestion is to book a table for around 7:30 PM, as it's still quite hot before that. Special mention to the chocolate volcano for dessert. It's divine!
· Portillo and Laguna del Inca
Portillo is known for its cold weather, snow, and ski slopes. However, the place also has its great charm in the Chilean summer. We woke up early and had breakfast at the hotel, and this time, the van that picked us up was much better! Relief. We picked up other people along the way and headed to Portillo. The beauty of the road is impressive, and the 29 curves to reach the final destination, which is at 2,800 meters above sea level, are even more impressive. But it's worth it. Arriving there, we came across a hotel, the only one in the region, which we used as a bathroom facility. Following a small path after the hotel, came the reward for those many winding curves... the impressive Laguna del Inca in front of us, right there, very close, for us to immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature and take lots of photos!!!
On the way back to Santiago, there was a picnic as well, just like the other tour, but this time, without a fire on the road. The pit stop was in Guarda Vieja, Los Andes, where we met with other groups and the famous Chilean Llamas.
Viña del Mar
Ready! It's time to use the rented car, the reason for Di's concern on the plane. In the morning, we checked out of UGO Hotel and headed towards the coast, heading to Viña del Mar, a small city that we were eager to explore.
· Oceanic Hotel
Upon arriving at the Oceanic Hotel, which was perched on the cliff, atop the rocks, with a complete ocean view, we were grateful for choosing that place to stay. From our room, we could see the sea on all sides, and, even better, the complete sunset.
· Playa Las Salinas
This small beach is very close to the hotel. We got there in about a 10-minute walk, always along the shore. It's a nice beach, but we could only enjoy the sand because the sea freezes your feet, even in the middle of summer. South Pacific, right? We can't expect anything different from that, haha.
· Valparaíso
After our romantic breakfast in the room, overlooking the sea, we took the car and went to Valparaíso, right next to Viña. After about 25 minutes, we arrived in the city full of colorful houses. But it was so hot that I don't know if we managed to make the most of it. The first stop was at the house of the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, La Sebastiana. We went in and explored all the rooms with headphones that told his and the house's story, but unfortunately, photos were not allowed. We only managed to get one of the views of the city and the port. After that, we walked through the streets of Cerro Alegre, where we took several nice photos.
In the late afternoon, we enjoyed the sun, which lasted until 9 pm, by the hotel pool. Despite the heat, the wind in Viña is cold, which confuses me all the time ahahahaha.
· Zapallar
This discovery was by chance. We threw it into Google and found this beach a few kilometers from Viña. We didn't have any recommendations, but we decided to take a chance. When we got there, we had a surprise. And a very good one. The beach was small, secluded, and beautiful. Cold sea. Of course. But Di is a Taurus, persistent, and tried to take a dip. He came back running and with a tingling body!
We had lunch at a restaurant there with a view of the sea, and later, back to the hotel pool, enjoying the sunset again.
· Four beaches in one tour
On the next day, we optimized our tour. We visited Playa del Deporte, Playa Blanca, Playa El Sol, and Playa Acapulco all at once, all by foot, after parking the car at a strategic point on Viña's waterfront.
Afterward, we went to the Reñaca neighborhood for lunch at another restaurant with a view, San Marino. I was amazed by the scenery!
At night, we went to Cassis Viña for the first time, a place that has everything, from crepes to salads, sandwiches, and wonderful desserts. We liked it so much that we went back three more times.
· Viña William Cole
We don't drink alcohol, but that doesn't mean we can't always learn more about wine, right? Taking advantage of the beautiful day, we took a tour of the William Cole Vineyard in Casablanca. The guide was excellent and taught us many things we didn't know yet. The tour is worth it.
I have a serious problem: as the trip is coming to an end, I get sadder and sadder. I start thinking about everything I have to do when I get back and I lose my strength. On this trip in particular, I talked a lot with Di about how unhappy I was with my job and my routine at the time, working at a communication agency. I remember that on the second-to-last night in Viña, I had insomnia and spent the night thinking about my life, always looking at that view from the room and listening to the waves of the sea, which seemed to come in through the window because they were so close. It was on this night that I had my first insight about writing my second book. At the time, it seemed like a crazy dream, something completely out of reality, but my heart liked it. A lot!
Today marks one year since this wonderful trip, and not only did I write the book, but I also published it and returned to working with what I love: writing for you and raising awareness about scoliosis. Let's go for it! When we want and intend, the universe finds a way to help us achieve our dreams. Believe in that.
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