First steps in South America

After spending a month in Australia, it was time for us (somewhat sadly) to leave and go back to the backpackers tracks to South America. We did a one day/night stop in Auckland, New Zealand, before taking a 10 hours flight to Santiago de Chile.
We can’t speak about Auckland as we only had time to visit the center and the harbour of the town. But we think it was quite OK to split the trip to South America instead of going all the way there.

NZ, Harbour of Auckland

Weather was nice in Santiago when we landed and in our desperate move to recover from jetlag (+16h from Auckland or -4h with Switzerland), we tried to make much of our time in the city. We did a walking tour led by a young Chilean girl called Berni. She was so enthusiastic about her city and country. We liked the few hours spent with her very much. We learned a lot about the independence as well as the more dark years when Pinochet dictature was in charge.

The next day we visited the Pre-Colombian Art Museum and took the cable car to San Cristobal Hill where we had an extended view of the city. It was HUGE, we didn’t think it would be so big! We were staying in a small hostel not far from the Bellavista district, the bohemian quarter, full of colourful little houses and tons (even thousands) of cafes and restaurants where we could grab salchipapas (sausages and french fries) for a very cheap price (but not so healthy meal)!

Chile, Precolombino Museum @ Santiago

After this quick introduction to Chile we left for Peru and the capital, Lima. We booked a room in a family b&b in the Barranco city, about 30 min. from the historical center. We were happily surprised by the “plaza de armas” and the surroundings. Beautiful colonial buildings and pedestrian zones. We visited two of the main convents and churches, Santo Domingo and San Francisco. One is well known for its catacomb, Daniel couldn’t resist and dragged me in one of the guided tours.

Peru, Historical center @ Lima

On our third day, we took a taxi ride to reach the Larco Museum in Pueblo Libre district. The museum was funded by Mr. Larco and is dedicated to the Peruvian civilisations until the Spaniards invaded the country (16th century). The site is beautiful and the exposition is full of details and explanations on the different tribes who lived and grew in Peru from 20’000 years before our era. Do not leave before visiting the “erotica” gallery down close to the Museum Cafe (excellent food btw).

accommodations

• Lima: La Casita Libertad, Barranco. Ana the owner is very lovely and we could quite well communicate with our broken spanish. Quiet and cheap, a good option to visit Lima.

restaurants

• Santiago de Chile: Magali’s favorite Cafe del Opera in Merced street, delicious icecreams (italian recipes for sure!)
• Santiago de Chile: The fun bars and cafes in Pio Nonno street, beers and cheap salchipapas. The place to be for young Chileans (and not so longer young aka us).
• Lima: Larco Museum Cafe, great settings in a garden of colorful bougainvilleas, exquisite food and postres (desserts).
• Lima: the very famous Larcomar Mall and its cafes or food court (mostly fast food). Maybe not the best food but the view on the ocean is spectacular!
• Lima: the Juanito Bodega Bar in Barranco, close to main square. A fantastic little bar existing from 1937. The old barristas are funny and the sandwiches are quite a bargain! Perfect for a light evening meal with a chopp (half liter jar draft beer)!

Best Kept Secret Tip

• Lima: try the churros in one of the small joints close to the Cathedral, hot and filled with dulce de leche, a cheap treat for 2 soles (0.6 USD)
• Lima: use the BCP, Banco de Credito del Perù’s ATMs, we found out that most of the banks will charge extra for any money withdrawal, with BCP no extra fees for international cards and you can even get US dollars at some of them!