One of the first things we noticed about Santiago was the pollution.

Sitting at the base of the Andes, the smog of this capital city has nowhere to go - it just hangs around.  So, although there were plenty of parks and green spaces to hang out in, we were reluctant to spend too much time in the haze of the city.

We ventured out of the city to get our outdoor fix and did a good hike at the foot of the Andes, where the air was thankfully much cleaner.

Now we've moved to the coast at Viña del Mar - but more on that next time...

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Gallery contains 11 photos

The pollution sitting over the city ;( - Santiago photo gallery
The pollution sitting over the city ;(
Welcome to Chile, mate - Santiago photo gallery
Welcome to Chile, mate
Santiago sunset - Santiago photo gallery
Santiago sunset
Our little fashionista hitting the high street with her new shoes - Santiago photo gallery
Our little fashionista hitting the high street with her new shoes
We thought the pollution was terrible, but apparently this was one of the good days - Santiago photo gallery
We thought the pollution was terrible, but apparently this was one of the good days
Every Sunday they close off major roads through the city for car-free days - Santiago photo gallery
Every Sunday they close off major roads through the city for car-free days
We spent the day in the foothills of the Andes an hour out of Santiago - Santiago photo gallery
We spent the day in the foothills of the Andes an hour out of Santiago
San José de Mailpo - Santiago photo gallery
San José de Mailpo
Backpacking in the foothills of the Andes - Santiago photo gallery
Backpacking in the foothills of the Andes
Ice-cream time - Santiago photo gallery
Ice-cream time