Descansamos

Most of our time in and around Zapallar is spent in a mode that is almost too relaxing.  I know that vacations are supposed to be restful, but I have been trained to try to pack each day of travel with activity when in a new place.  Therefore, on this trip, one way that I am attempting to step outside of my comfort zone is try to feel not only okay but to feel good about spending days lounging on the beach and by the pool while occasionally moving to find food or drinks.  I am embracing reading my current book titled “By Night in Chile” by Chilean author Roberto Bolaño.  I am relishing the opportunity to people-watch while lying on the beach.  And I am taking advantage of the opportunity to better get to know my travel companions.

Casablanca Valley Wine Tasting

Chile is full of vineyards, and today we decide to explore the Casablanca Valley, which is nestled between Valparaiso and Santiago.  The varietals that appear frequently throughout our tastings include Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay among the whites, and Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Chilean specific Carmenere for the reds.  Our first stop, which also includes a great lunch, is at Viña Casas del Bosque.  We then make our way through three more wineries before the end of the afternoon, including Emiliana Organic Vineyards, Viña Indomita, and Viña Mar.  We break up our tastings with card playing, joke telling, and a little Facetiming.

We later stop in Valparaiso for some afternoon tea and juice before heading to Oda Pacifico, a wonderful restaurant looking over much of the city.  Getting to the restaurant is a bit of an adventure because of the layout of the city, its steep hills, and its narrow streets.  I explain to many navigators in the car that I think we are approaching a dead end, and although in one occasion I am correct, on another occasion, the road continues at what seems like a 60-degree slope, which I had inaccurately thought was impassible.

As we head back to our hotel in Zapallar, we look back on our day filled with multiple types of terrain covered, many wines tasted, and a beautiful dinner shared together.