Viña del Mar, located next door from Valparaiso is the Beverly Hills of Chile and the most popular beach resort. It is quite large and lively, this being the busy summer season. The city is host to many grand old homes and maple tree lined streets. Restaurants and shopping abound and the main avenue leads to the beach. The weather is quite pleasant at around 75 degrees. Road and foot traffic, is as you might expect, heavy. There is a lively and festive atmosphere everywhere.

One thing I have discovered here is that I enjoy being anonymous, as here I do not stand out as being a foreigner. There are many tall, grey haired Chilean’s who look very similar to me.

I don’t know if it the season or what, but I have never seen more pregnant women. Go figure.

I now have a new battery for my motorcycle and tomorrow will head south towards Pucon to meet me friends. I have time to burn so will spend some time in the Chilean wine region and a few national parks.