San Vicente to Olmue

Olga outside her new house.


San Vicente lies in a river valley a few miles to the west of route 5. To the east is the Andes cordilera.


Route 66 took us from San Vicente via Peumo to San Antonio on the pacific coast.


It was a lovely drive on immaculate roads through farmland and winding hill roads. Roadside produce stalls were everywhere. We bought a large bag of oranges for 1,500 pesos (about £1.70).

Just before San Antonio we dropped down to the foggy Pacific at Santa Maria del Mar where it was noticeably colder.


Then we skirted round San Antonio and continued across country to Olmue near Parque Nacional La Campana.

Olmue is a lovely spot and we visited sister Jackie who lives in a not quite finished eco-house just outside the town. Before dinner we took a walk up into the park foothills.





Nancy with sister Jackie at sunset in Parque Nacional La Campana.


After an excellent dinner at Campo Alto


We looked around for a hotel. There being none suitable in Olmue we set off for Viña del Mar but around 23:30 we stumbled on Hosteria de Valle Verde where we spent the night.


Santiago to San Vicente

We checked out of the hotel this morning. Total cost for 3 nights US$173. I could take or leave Hotel Foresta. It clearly needs refurbishing and seems to be run by old men who don't really give a toss. If staying longer I would look for something better.

As we packed I noticed the bathroom shelf.



The hotel restaurant is on the 5th floor with lovely views over Cerro Santa Lucia.




Our hire car was delivered to the hotel by Maximo Rent a Car. We got a Kia "Morning" costing US$59 per day with unlimited mileage and Santiago tolls included.

First stop was the top of Cerro San Cristobal in Parque Metropolitano with stunning views across Santiago to the Cordilera.


One can also walk to the top of take the funicular railway.


There is also a church and lots of craft shops.


After stopping for lunch on the outskirts of Santiago we headed south on Route 5. There are tolls on urban autopistas which are collected electronically. As a car approches a payment gantry the applicable toll is displayed. Then, as the car passes under the gantry, the required toll is taken from a prepaid device on the car. Presumably this is topped up somewhere as required. Very slick and it certainly avoids the queues found at manual toll booths in Buenos Aires.

We had to pay close attention to the somewhat infrequent signs. Without changing lanes we ended up heading west instead of south. Back on route 5 we continued south on a superb autopista. About an hour into the trip the
Carabineros motioned us to stop for a spot check on our papers. They were very professional in immaculate uniforms.

Just after dark we arrived in San Vicente about 150k south of Santiago where we stayed with Nancy's sister Olga.