BLOG: Across the Andes by air

We flew from Miami back to Buenos Aires. From there, our Chilean experience began as our flight to Santiago crossed the Andes. From the air, snowy peaks stretched as far as we could see towards the north and south. It was unmistakable that the endless white sprawl formed the backbone of the entire continent.

Santiago welcomed us with an unseasonally crisp fog-free morning. Next day, the brooding skies added charm to the city’s many churches, squares, museums and stately homes. But deteriorating visibility ruined the much-anticipated panorama of Santiago from nearby Santa Lucia hill.

Small packs of stray dogs roam a few city-centre streets, sometimes resting inconsiderately (yet so adorably) on crowded footpaths. They are nowhere near as mangy as their kin in Bali and do not seem to incite repulsion from passers-by.