From my hotel room I was waking up in awe as the sun shimmered through the curtains and you saw the mountain silhouettes in distance through the dusty window.
This week I started to do a detox yoga in the morning which helps your digestive systems, exits toxics in your body and releases tensions and emotions stored that no longer serves you. It’s such an awesome way to start the day, I can really feel my digestive tract working better, I start moving my body and feel ready for the day and what it brings!
While living in Santiago city, I stayed at Hotel Rugendas. A beautiful hotel in a quiet, clean and green neighborhood outside center. I was here during the political manifestations and protests, when it was some issues with safety and convenience. However, in this part of the city you couldn’t notice it. It felt like a different world far from the reality you experienced from tv sendings. This is a wealthy and rich area, a modern zone with tall glass buildings, bank offices and helicopter roofs. Despite the modernness and daunting atmosphere by the mighty architecture, it keeps a grounded and natural feeling of greenery, with planted trees where you’ll walk by orange trees, bushes, a small park and small hidden cafe spots like one I will mention more about later.
Here you see the beautiful sunset over plaza Perú.
Colina
A resort on the country side hidden behind the mountains and 30 minutes away from the hectic city.
Here everything is taken with care, the grass so green, plants cut perfect and in a harmonic composition. It’s quite the contrary when driving to the place from the city and witnessing on the way mostly dead trees covering the landscape. It makes me sad because it’s a problem of water supply and care of a potential agriculture. However, the climate here is very dry, there aren’t many lakes or rivers to spot.
The sunsets overshadowing the mountain tops are breathtaking with colors of light pink and turquoise. Here I was so lucky and fortunate to eat my dinner after a long day at work. What is also to note are the cozy lighting hanging on threads over your head.
The center court. Hoping to come back next year and play here again!
Ciro’s restaurante
So I did some google research about the restaurant and wasn’t convinced. But that was very different when I took my first bite of the best vegan lasagne I’ve eaten so far. I was so happy when I saw they had vegan options in the menu, I’ve had a belief that it’s really difficult to be vegan on travels, but reality is different as the world is changing. The consumers are asking more of it and also it’s becoming “trendy”. However, I’m eating this way because I’ve noticed I recover quicker and thrive from this healthy lifestyle. Honestly, you will be surprised about how a vegan lasagne can be so good, even tasting better than a normal one, at least that’s what my tastebuds have agreed on! Oh and because when you are eating a plant based diet you need to eat more than usual, so I shared cooked potatoes and quinoa salad on the side, but the lasagne was really filling my tummy up!
Cafetin ~ a hidden café treasure
The coziest café you’ll find at plaza Perú, hidden behind the Main Street and close to the quiet neighborhood houses in the background. You’ll escape to a different place, with only good vibes, leaving you fulfilled and harmonized. Surrounded by small plant pots hanging from the ceiling, a simple interior which makes it not extravagant but rather making you feel at home and more relaxed, even more relaxed as the chilled music is played behind. Oh and cannot forget either the cute light bulbs hanging on wires over you, plus a warm blue color of paint on the wall behind you. It’s truly an environment and space beyond its location, it’s like time stops for a moment. And almost as a time machine taking you to a different space, filled with magic and joy.
The food was beyond my expectations. The plan at first was to grab ice cream at an heladeria / ice cream shop. But it was closed.. Despite our disappointment, it led us to this café or hidden treasure I would say. Which turned out to be way better!!! It surprised us with the best desserts I’ve tasted, the most silky & creamy consistency ice cream with a delicious vanilla flavor, spooned artistically on top of the fudgy and rich chocolate brownie! And it keeps getting better, an incredible cake composition of chocolate fudge that melts on your tongue but with competition of the dulce de leche layers in between and glazed on top of the cake. The experience left me speechless and so happy hehe. Oh and order a chai latte with it and your evening is complete.
Address: Don Carlos 3185, Las Condes, Region Metropolitana, Chile.
Visit their website for more information:
With love & care,
Mel x
Bloom with food 