We spend our first full day in Santiago getting used to the apartment, buying provisions and checking out the area. We have a light lunch at Quijote restaurant along one of the pedestrian streets in downtown. It is about a 8 block walk from the apartment. On our way back we spend some time relaxing in Constitution Square.
Saturday we have a longer walk, going to see the Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (the Natural History Museum). Sadly, there are no cafe's open where we can sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. The museum is okay but we have definitely been through better. On our walk back we find a Cervezeria along Avenida Brazil which we think may become our go-to place if we want something light to eat and a cold beverage.
In the evening we use TripAdvisor to identify potential restaurants within walking distance. Palacio del Vino is our first choice. We arrive right as a group of 20 bicyclists are being seated. Hmmm. The owner/maître d/waiter tells us no problem. He is true to his word. Anne selects the four-course tasting menu paired with wines while William chooses to order a steak and pair some cerveza's. The food and beverages are good with some interesting flavorful twists, but like a number of restaurants we try on the mainland, Anne's fish is a bit overlooked. However, it is one of our better meals in mainland Chile.
Part of the reason we selected the Santiago apartment was it's proximity to the subway. Sunday is normally a quiet day in South America so we think it should be a good time to learn the subway. It turns out to be quite easy to buy a BiP card, fund it and catch our first subway train to the Bellas Artes station. Our destination is Museo Nacional Bellas Artes, an easy 10 minute walk from the station. We spend about 90 minutes walking through the museum. The architecture is beautiful and we enjoy the sculptures in the main hall. Most of the rest of the museum is unimpressive.
Following the Museo we walk toward Patio Bellas Artes. There are a large number of people cycling, running and skateboarding. Some of the streets have been shutdown to facilitate exercising and enjoying the outdoors. We enjoy a late lunch at one of the 20+ restaurants at the Patio, then make our way home via the subway. All-in-all a pleasant day.
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