Leaving Valparaiso para Punta Arenas 02.13.2009

I have to say that living in the neighborhood where our hostel is located (Cerro Alegre), overlooking Valparaiso, would be a very healthy life choice for all of the walking and climbing you would accomplish within the day. It is my estimation that from the city floor to the hostel is probably 700 to 800 feet of elevation gain per trip. While the businesses and resturants in Cerro Alegre cater to tourists, it does seem to be a magnet for up and coming artists, and there are always a few residents of Valparaiso around keeping tabs on how the neighborhood is changing.

The plan today is to travel by bus back to Santiago (aeropuerto) and fly to Punta Arenas at the bottom of Chile, with one stop to pick up stragglers in Puerto Montt. En route to Patagonia... I can´t say I know what to expect but I am excited about what we will find.