Thursday, August 11, 2016

Casa Chocolate' and Casa Bosque Restaurant

When we were done with our sightseeing and headed home, we found this cute little house that looked like it was right out of a storybook.
CASA CHOCOLATE'


Casa Chocolate' was built out of Hay bales, old tires, Logs and miscellaneous other items. 





Inside was a cute little gift shop feature all natural candies and even furniture made by the same craftsman who built the house.

We were in awe of the house, the inside was really cool, but we weren't allowed to take photos, so we bought some candy and admired the house from all different angles.

Just down the road from Casa Chocolate is the Restaurant Casa Bosque'. I consider this one of the absolute best restaurants, both in cuisine and atmosphere, where ever I have eaten. 

Built by the same man who built Casa Chocolate', and in the same manner with hay bales, tires, logs, etc., this building was immense and rambling and incredible.

The interior was so creative and it rambled on and on, but was still bright and filled with so many little details to see.

One thing about eating steak in Chile, the wood fire grill is almost always where you can see it and watch them cook your steak. Casa Bosque's grill was no different, and it was huge!


Looking into one of the dining areas.

Then Entrance and the upstairs balcony.



As you look around the restaurant you start seeing little gnomes hidden everywhere in the woodwork and iron work.

Because this restaurant is so fabulous there is usually a wait time. Don't worry, the grounds have hammocks, Adirondack chairs, Chaise lounges and fountains to occupy you while you wait.

Looking into the back dining room.


They also have a banquet facility for weddings, company events and more.




I thought for sure that I took photos of our scrumptious luncheon. My steak was cooked to perfection and I believe my Creme Brulee' was the best I have ever eaten.

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Santiago, Chile, take the 45 minute drive out to Casa Bosque'. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Driving through San Jose de Maipo

I guess I should have posted these pictures before I put up the posts about Hong Kong, but when you are trying to play catch-up from 5 - 6 months past you are bound to make mistakes.
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The weekend after our trip to Argentina Darryl and I decided to take a drive south east of Santiago to the town of Rincon de Maipo and the surrounding mountains. 


It was a hot Saturday, close to 100 degrees as we started up into the mountains.

We were just on the outskirts of  San Jose de Maipo the car developed a terrible vibration. It kept getting worse and worse. We decided to pull of and see if we could figure out what the problem was. The front tire on the drivers side was missing 3 of the 5 lug nuts and the 4th one was almost off. ONLY ONE LUG NUT HOLDING THAT TIRE ON! Darryl tightened it up and stole a couple lug nuts off the other tires and we were on our way again.

We stopped in town and walked through the plaza where they were setting up for a festival to be held in the evening. 

The statue of Bernado O'Higgins... the Chilean independence leader who was instrumental in freeing Chile from Spanish rule.

The other side of the plaza. 

After getting something to drink and talking to the locals about what to see, we headed on out of town.

The road we were on followed the Rio Maipo.  There is a Rodeo arena in this photo. 
I wonder why? 

Ahhh.. that's why. Many, many Huaso Chileanos in this area. (That's Chilean for Cowboy)

As we drove around the mountain the road narrowed down to one lane and stayed that way for quite a while.

You would have to pull over and stop to let another vehicle pass...

Which sometimes was tricky...

But it was totally worth it because of the views we were able to see!



Tempting... but we had a different place in mind to have lunch. (Check out tomorrows post!)






Because the weather was so hot and dry, many people had escaped heat of Santiago and would come down here to camp and cool off.






It was a wonderful adventure... but I still have more photos to show you. Until then....