Thoughts on Chile

We have enjoyed our time here, it was an excellent choice for our winter break and we have generally been impressed by all we have seen.

Firstly, everything works – which is a contrast to some of the South American or Asian countries that we have visited – just like being at home. It is safe, secure, generally litter-free and comfortable. It is also a very affluent place - lots of new cars and families on holiday - not much sign of homelessness or begging on the streets, although there were the usual one or two who looked like they needed the money for another drink.

Travel is easy – they must have one of the best bus systems in the world – and the roads are generally good with lots of improvement programmes in progress. There has been plenty to see and do - from the lakes, volcanoes and national parks to the wineries, thermal springs and beaches - and we didn't make it to the far south or to the northern deserts.

Being here in the height of the holiday season has been challenging at times but if you came here in November, December or March, you would avoid most of this. Definitely a great place for a holiday and perhaps even better for those with young families – there are so many activities to entertain kids of all ages.

It has proved more expensive than we expected – much the same as the costs at home – but the wine is cheaper and the fruit and vegetables, which are of such good quality. The food has been good – excellent meat, fish and seafood – but the cooking has been plain and quite ordinary. There are probably only 2 or three meals that stand out.

I commented on the police (Carabineros – or carbonaras as Linda insists!) in Santiago and their presence has been notable throughout our travels but not in an oppressive way – perhaps it is just high-visibility policing.

The people have been friendly and helpful where ever we have interacted with them although at other times they can seem distant and disinterested – a little like being in London where people are too busy or stressed to notice those around them.

I should have improved my Spanish before we arrived – learning on the trip has provided some amusing lessons but thankfully few misunderstandings. Over the last couple of weeks I have managed a few lengthy conversations but I am always conscious of how poorly I speak the language. If you are planning to travel here, you need to have a basic level of the language to be able to eat, drink and get around.