navgal

The bus station was simply the central bus station in Santiago that took me to the central bus station in Valpo which is near the central plaza. It cost something like seven dollars if I remeber correctly. A pleasant ride, but the best views were on the ride down the coast with Michael where there were sweeping views on the way back from Isla Negra that were very much like Big Sur in California but with accessible beaches. I especially liked the sea cove at Quintay and there's a little cafe there where you can get luch - El Gato. He can also take you to the wineries - some are very lovely. A good guide makes all the difference in knowing a place with intimacy. Have fun, kids!

Andrea

Hi

I had two days with Michael, actually. He met me at the bus station, drove me to the Yellow House to drop off my luggage, then we left for Isla Negra. Someone wanted to stop at a winery to buy champagne, so he took us to an elegant place where they knew him and took care of us immediately. Then at Isla Negra he had arranged a tour of Neruda's house with the best English speaking guide for me. Afterwards he took us ona tour of the coast and we stopped in to meet another friend of his. This was a very Neruda-like man who had built a wonderful home on the sea and made huge tallship replicas. He also had an interesting quirky m useum. It was a wonderful way to spend an hour or so.

On our walking tour at one point we were in the kitchen of a professional magician where he did tricks for us. We saw spectacular views, and Michael took us on a tour of a wealthy politician's house (he doesn't live there, just dumps his antiques there). Whereever we went people knew Michael and he introduced us. I felt I was getting to know locals, not just looking at a place.

Michael has a playful sense of humor and he does tours so he can meet interesting people which is why he deliberately keeps it small. I am sure you will have a great time.

Does this help? Tell Andrea sent you!

Andrea

Try emailing him at miguelarno@web.de

I was in Valpo two days before boarding. I had contacted Michael the German Pirate via e-mail. He met me at the bus station, drove me to my B&B (The Yellow House, a charming, well-located place ) to drop off my bags and then took me and another person to Isla Negra where I wanted to tour Neruda's home. He drove us to lovely beaches and to a private museum where we met a fascinating old fellow who created the museum. The next day Michael took a group of us on a foot tour of Valpo showing us a Valpo we could never have found on our own. His fee was very modest. (About 25 US$) I can't recommend him enough. You can contact him throu http://www.MyValparaiso.com He is an expat who loves his adopted city and country. By the time we all parted company we did ,too.

Andrea