Highlights of the Day
Today marked the final day of our twelve-day journey in South America. After checking out of the hotel and storing our luggage, we returned the rental car at the airport and took a bus back to downtown Santiago. We visited the presidential palace, Palacio de La Moneda, which was originally built as the national mint and now stands as a symbol of Chile’s government. We then explored the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, where artifacts from ancient American civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca are displayed. The pottery, stone carvings, and textiles reveal the remarkable artistry of these cultures. Later we strolled around Plaza de Armas and enjoyed another cup of the traditional drink Mote con Huesillo. By evening we returned to the hotel for dinner. Although our plan to reach Antarctica did not come true, the journey still ended with memorable experiences and the promise of future travels.
Accommodation: Courtyard by Marriott Santiago Airport
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
The final day of this journey brought us back once again to downtown Santiago.
Our return flight was scheduled for a little after 10 p.m. After checking out of the hotel in the morning and storing our luggage, we drove to the airport to return the rental car. From there we took a bus back to the city center. Whenever we were unsure about directions, we simply asked people along the way. Everyone we encountered was very friendly and willing to help.
Next to Plaza de la Constitución stands a bright white and dignified building — the Chilean presidential palace Palacio de La Moneda. The building originally served as the national mint, which explains why the nearby metro station is called “La Moneda.” In Spanish, moneda literally means “coin” or “money.”
Visits to the presidential palace are free, but reservations must be made online in advance. A few days ago I tried to make a reservation through the official website, but for some reason the booking button didn’t work. In the end we simply took photos outside the building.
Not far from the palace is the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino. The museum displays artifacts from ancient civilizations that existed in the Americas before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492. The collection includes finely crafted pottery, metal objects, stone sculptures, and textiles.
Many of these artifacts come from civilizations such as the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. The exhibition halls are modern and quiet, and under the soft lighting the artworks — some hundreds or even thousands of years old — appear mysterious and powerful. It is impressive to see the artistic creativity and craftsmanship of these ancient American cultures.
Later we walked around Plaza de Armas again and tried the local drink Mote con Huesillo once more. This sweet beverage, made with dried peaches and wheat grains, is a popular Chilean specialty.
Originally we planned to have dinner somewhere near the plaza, but after looking around at the surroundings we decided to return to the hotel restaurant instead.
With that, our twelve-day South American journey came to an end. Before the trip I had imagined leaving my footprints both in South America and Antarctica, expanding my travels from four continents to six. Apparently that was a bit too ambitious. But perhaps leaving a small regret simply gives us a reason to return someday.
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