Showing posts with label Travelfrenzies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travelfrenzies. Show all posts

July 22, 2013

Valparaiso and stuff

Again?  I know right, but you do realize we really love this place?  We had such an amazing break this past long weekend that I had to share the hotel and of course the places that we dined at. We stayed at the Boutique Hotel 17. Would I recommend it? Let me first re-cap. Well, it had its serious perks - one being the bay view room.  Equiped with its own generous terrace which opens out from the room. It is generally accesible to public, but blocked when there are guest.  It was just brilliant getting up to a breathtaking sea view. The hotel also has a fully functional common kitchenette set in the midst of a mini apartment setting which made things easy for the storing and the heating of LA's food. Then the feeding in the comfy brightly decorated sofa area, makes one feel so at home with the tv and such.  The staff was also really accommodating and offered to help out in this area. Secondly, massages are generally unheard of especially in the first year of your baby's life especially on holiday. This hotel provided this service so Luis and I took turns looking after the baby while the other got pampered! Something's gotta give . Pure bliss. Luis actually was so relaxed that he slept past his hour and was abandoned by the masseuse. Aside from the massage, there is a sauna and a hydromassage facility that can be accessed during the stay.

Food food food. Luis and I love food. We usually try different places, but this time we had to go back to Samsara. Again. Why? Cos it never fails. This restaurants wins hands down for the best Thai food in Chile. We didn't take photos this time, but if you search my blog there is an earlier entry on the restaurant and the Red curry that I had.  One word - contentment-  just the right amount of spice and consistency. Luis had the Solomillo again after not being overly thrilled about the last fish dish. Obvious choice to return to, as it's just one of those dishes which gets you salivating just thinking about it. From our previous little chat to the chef, we discovered something like a total of 3 days to  prepare this delicate dish. A definite must-try people!

A must mention this time is how special we were made to feel and the first class treatment we received by the hotel with its combined efforts with the renowned restaurant next to it - La Concepcion. With a baby traveling and without a babysitter, there is almost a 0 chance of having a romantic dinner unless room service counts. We were so blessed to have food delivered to our private terrace so we had a 3 course dinner with our own waiter.  Normally, one would have had to have paid a ton for this and not forgetting the added prep time! We are blessed.

We do love each other abundantly and it pains us when we don't have enough time together.  We are best friends in its entirety. This dinner was perfect.  Short getaways are always nourishing for us and I do believe we have angels looking out for us. Things just seem to come together.  The next challenge would have to be an overnight stay and the leaving of little LA in the care of Granny Chile. It's not something I would do in a blink of an eye but after numerous conversations with Luis about it ( sobbing to the discussions of it..) I do agree that it would be a healthy thing to do. Our relationship and its nurturing is essential in the bringing up of our son. So the challenge is on.
The challenge to let LA grow up as independently as possible but bursting with love;  knowing that we'll be gone for a while but we'll be back.

A very good friend of mine said to me once that I should try not to leave the things that make us a couple, besides she said, the baby is an addition to the family. Thus, the baby should fit in. I really believe in this. Happiness is delivered from the parents down. So happy parents first promotes a happy child and hopefully a happy family.  I see parents who think that they have given up everything for their kids and use this as though their kids owe them something in return and thus the cycle of, "after all I've done" begin and never end.  I don't agree in this form of parenting and it really tires me to hear parents complaining about their kids.  At least if you must, say 5 things that compliment before the 1 complain.
On the flip side,  doing things out of love because love means not wanting anything in return first brings another form of reaction and zero resentment from either side. 

Do you ever think about what kind of parent you would like to be? Like to be perceived as? This is at the forefront of my mind. I am always willing to learn from happy families for it is such a joy to be around them.  I think about how I would of liked to have been brought up if I had the chance to re-live my childhood days again. Not that I didn't have a good one , don't get me wrong. But there is always room for improvement. I think even if you ask me down the road if I could have been a better mom, I'm pretty sure I would say yes. This helps me everytime I'm around my little boy, to look at him with love even when I'm so tired and not in the best frame of mind.  Even though all this might sound self-righteous,  I do believe if we don't try..how can we improve. Right?
So, It's an everyday thing. One step at a time.

I'm glad I waited and really knew Luis before I had a child. Everything seems more manageable and easy. Without a strong foundation it's impossible to bring up a happy kid. So, I'm I thinking of more kids? Yes, but in time.. as kids need love and love can only be given when you have the time, energy and the support even financially speaking and most importantly,
you are at whole with yourself to deal with all the physical and mental changes that come inevitably. 
Plus, at 1 plus,  little LA is just too much of fun! to have to miss out on his little antics would be a sacrifice I am not willing to give up just yet!

Thus, I choose to wait,  I'll will patiently and the angels will guide me, us.. as they have always done. Oh, and yes, I would recommend the Hotel!
Wouldn't you?



Room with a view

Us

My loves of my life


November 9, 2011

Vichuquen

Columbus's Day happened to fall on a Monday; and that mostly means - where do we head to?  We didn't have to think too much as our friends, Mari and Mika invited us to their lake house in picturesque Vichuquen with another couple. It was a real treat for us. The most memorable was waking up to the still and magnificent view of the lake while having our breakfast.  They really spoilt us rotten. Imagine...
we woke up to find the whole deal. Even waffles I tell you!
Some people are nice. 
 Others are just wonderful.

It was an extremely good rest away from Santiago at their cabin like wonder of a place. It takes just under 5 hours towards the South of Santiago by land. Really helps to have a fourwheel for matters of shakiness and dizziness, I rather not remember.  By day, we had  nice speedboat trips around the lake, where the brave ones and I must admit talented ones, enjoyed their bouts of water-skiing, by afternoon, the grill gets started off and by night, we enjoyed chit-chats by the fireplace. The nights were sealed with nice cosy dinners and the many clicks of wine glasses.

Chile has not failed to surprise me. I'm blessed to have opportunies like this. Actually it seems surreal that I have been living here for over a year now.  Seems like, the best way to live, is to really seize opportunities to see and learn more. Really looking forward to our family trip around Chile soon and of course mom's cooking again! This time,  in my very own kitchen which I adore.
Oh, my parents would be here so very soon!
How brilliant :)
Mika has represented Chile several times in the Olympics for Skiing!
Luis kept Noah quiet by bribing him with some juice, it worked! :)


July 5, 2011

Our Little Escapade

 Chile has numerous holidays which one can't really complain about. In conjunction with Saint Peter's
and Saint Paul's, we escaped to our favourite spot in Chile - Valparaiso. Told y'all we'll go back :) This time we stayed at the Cirilo Armstrong ( Ranked 2nd on Trip Advisor). A Boutique Hotel which is also located at Cerro Alegre- it had more of a modern contemporary feel to it. We thoroughly enjoyed our duplex loft  - the warmth of a great fireplace, a kitchenette and fantastic views of the Valpo hills from our bedroom window. Very artsy with touches of local designers as their decor. We had breakfast served to our door and as always, we had our meals at
 fantastic places as my Luis pre-booked for us even
before leaving Santiago! :)
 It was a great refreshing weekend ! What else could a girl ask for.  Though I must admit, I can hardly wait to plan the details of our upcoming sexy travels in September.
 - A change is always good. Even though I heart Chile,
 I think I would appreciate a change in hemispheres during winter!
First meal: Pasta & Vino: We had a great extended meal as we arrived an hour before our booking but had the privilege to choose a great spot and enjoyed our night away. Cosy , romantic though there were more creamy selection of sauces.
 Bookings are essential!
My Dish : Ravioli de Zapallo ( Pumpkin filled Ravioli) - I recommend this
Luis had the Gnocchi of Zucchini 


Cafe con Letras: Fantastic cafe with a library. Decided to try a different place  for dessert
 just because there are such awesome places to dine in Valpo.

We normally end our dinners with expressos but indulged a bit here with Churros, and a mocha each
 - we had the night to enjoy away

The next day we headed out after a great breakfast to have a nice walk before lunch - was a spectacular winters day


Couldn't resist snapping away as everything was  just so full of character, so beautiful and colourful




After a good walk, we had lunch at La Columbino. Entree : Reinata wrapped with eggplant with grated cheese and prepared in the oven

I had the Grilled Sea Bass with onion rings
Luis: Mulata with lentils and artichoke



Loved the stained glass

We had another great spot with a view

The atmosphere at Cerro Alegre


We went back to Samsara. Couldn't resist the great Thai food we had the last trip. We had two main dishes: Red Curry with beef and cashew nuts and rockfish with basil and marmalade Chili
The dessert was on the house! We chose the Brownie with Coconut Ice cream


Contented & satisfied after that dinner!
View from our Boutique Hotel
The Reception Area where you can enjoy the great views. There are individual fireplaces
 in the bedrooms too and and a private hot tub outside one of the rooms
Before we headed back to Santiago, we once again headed out for photos and a nice walk

We somehow stumbled across this somewhat mystic abandoned area
Final lunch at Maladrino.  Ranked #1 but now #3. Still found the pizza delicious. Great great service.

From the top floor of our loft - the view was amazing .
Love you my special place on earth - Valpo!!!!! 
y gracías mi vida por todo, pase incredíble siempre contigo,  te adoro xx

May 9, 2011

Santa Cruz, Chile














  In the early hours of a Tuesday, a few of us headed out of Santiago towards the south, to a Chilean city in the Colchagua Valley. Our little road trip extended way past our scheduled plan for an early return - there were uncountable beautiful spots to just let pass. What fun we had! - we saw the freshest of fruit, stopped for hot chocolate amidst the amazing landscaped countryside with its perfect steamy cold weather, enjoyed the numerous vineyards of the ever changing colours of autumn and finally dined at a restaurant within the most charming
and clever of locations for a museum that I've ever come across
 - nicely tucked away inside a resort like ambiance.
I forget, we even got ourselves into a little mischief. We crept into a wired-up vineyard! The horses didn't seem to mind except maybe that one fellow that came charging at me! Ah, it was worth the scare. 
 Santa Cruz is gorgeous, full of character and 
truly expresses an authentic feel of Chilean countryside culture.
A wonderful get-away for nature lovers and it certainly offers plenty to play, for those
 keen amateur photographers!