La Sebastiana

We finally made it to Pablo Neruda's third house in Valparaiso. Chile's most famous poet spent a lot of time in his 5-storey house overlooking the colourful tin city and the Pacific Ocean.

A statue of Pablo Neruda in Plaza de los Poetas, outside his house

La Sebastiana: Neruda's study is the single room on the top floor

View from Neruda's house over the hills of Valparaiso and the sea

The house is situated on Cerro Florida, just behind Cerro Bellavista and Cerro Mariposa. On our steep trek up the hills, we passed through the Museo de Ceilo Abierto - Open Air Museum - and saw some new and unusual murals.

Mural of an "ascensor"

One of the famous hummingbirds of Valparaiso

Mini murals of the city

Valparaiso

We visited the coastal town of Valparaiso with our family friends last weekend. We took the bus from Santiago, caught a rickety funicular up Cerro Concepcion and enjoyed a lovely stroll through the winding streets lined by colourful tin houses.

Lunch was a spectacular feast of seafood dishes accompanied by delicious pisco sours. We walked off lunch in the harbour and Plaza Sotomayor, stopping at a craft market to pick up some souvenirs.

Plaza Sotomayor, in front of the headquarters of the Chilean Navy

Valparaiso is famous for its vibrant culture, colour and ascensores

Valparaiso

I went on a day trip with some friends to the port of Valparaiso. Here's a sneak peak of the colourful coastal city. I can't wait to return with Daniel...