Author: reweidman50

Valparaíso, Chile

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Located adjacent to Vina del Mar, Valparaiso, Chile, has a completely different vibe! According to Lonely Planet, this bustling port city is “syncopated, dilapidated, colorful and poetic … a wonderful mess.” We visited La Sebastiana, the amazing hilltop home of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda (1904-73), who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Later, we wandered haphazardly down the winding streets of Valparaiso (known as the “Jewel of the Pacific”), admiring the incredible street art along the way.

Vina del Mar, Chile

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After a delightful three-day stay in Talca where we were treated with genuine Chilean hospitality, we took a bus trip to the popular coastal resort of Vina del Mar (known as the “Ciudad Jardin” or “Garden City”) and stayed overnight at the centrally located Hotel Ankara, which lies within walking distance of most area attractions and restaurants. During our stay, we enjoyed some wonderful meals and also visited El Castillo Wulff (Wulff Castle), a local landmark built in 1906 that overlooks the sea, and Museum of Archaeology and History Francisco Fonck, which features some fascinating artifacts, including shrunken heads, a mummy and an actual stone Moai statue from Easter Island out front. We had a great visit in Vina del Mar, but it was all too short!

Talca, Chile

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Our daughter spent over 10 months as an exchange student in the charming city of Talca, Chile, which is located approximately three hours south of Santiago. After we arrived in Santiago and spent a day exploring the sights, we headed to Talca via a comfortable motorcoach (we watched the 2004 romantic comedy 50 First Dates dubbed in Spanish along the way!). Once we arrived in Talca, we checked in at the Eco Hotel (highly recommended, by the way!), which overlooks the beautiful Alameda street park and provides an ideal base for exploring the city. We strolled along the Alameda in the morning and headed to the Plaza de Armas. We also visited the Cerro de la Virgen, a spectacular hill overlooking the city that features a huge statue of the Virgin Mary along with panoramic views of Talca and the distant Andes Mountains. In addition, we took a brief tour of the beautiful Casa Donoso Winery and sampled Chilean cuisine such as the delicious Completos – hotdogs piled high with chopped tomatoes, avocados and mayonnaise. All and all, we had a great time in Talca and hope to be back one day!

Santiago, Chile

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We took the sky lift up San Cristobal Hill for great views of Santiago and the surrounding Andes Mountains. The huge statue of the Virgin Mary was donated by France in 1904. Gran Torre Santiago is the tallest building in South America. Believe it or not, Santiago’s population of approximately 7 million is nearly half of Chile’s total population. A wonderful city with great people, great food and great wine!

Sala’s Hawaiian Slurp Shack

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One of our favorite eateries in Apopka is the eclectic and laid-back Hawaiian Slurp Shack, where you can enjoy delicious Hawaiian cuisine, along with ice cream and shaved ice as you immerse yourself in the colorful Hawaiian-themed decor. I personally recommend the Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl – it’s so damn good that I’ve yet to explore anything else on the menu! Sala’s Hawaiian Slurp Shack is located at 1803 East Semoran Boulevard. It is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday.

Hebron Colony Falls

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A true hidden treasure, Hebron Colony Falls (aka Hebron Rock Colony) can be accessed via a short trail located off Old Turnpike Road in Boone or from the Boone Fork Trail, which begins at Julian Price Memorial Park (Milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway). Characterized by a series of scenic mini waterfalls amid a field of huge boulders, Hebron Colony Falls is very popular among Appalachian State University students. It’s a rather strenuous and strategic journey to the top but worth it for a remarkable view of the surrounding wilderness.

Remembering Sonny’s Grill

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All that’s left of Sonny’s Grill is this commemorative plaque that can be found in front of the outdoor patio at Six Pence Pub in downtown Blowing Rock, North Carolina. A beloved local institution opened on December 13, 1954 (note that the plaque erroneously states 1955), by the late Sonny Klutz, Sonny’s Grill served as the archetypal small-town eatery where you could fuel up with a delicious ham biscuit, stack of sweet potato pancakes or juicy hamburger fresh off the grill. Author Jan Karon even alluded to Sonny’s as “Mitford’s Grill” in her popular Mitford series of books, which were inspired by Blowing Rock. Unfortunately, Sonny’s closed its doors for good in 2009 and is greatly missed.