I googled “Where is it not hot in August?” – and South America came up (after Iceland). And that is how I ended up going to Chile for an extended long weekend, since l have not been. Blame it on global warming, but what was supposedly winter, it was in the 18C to 23C degrees while I was here.

The meals I had were all good. Lots of seafood – including octopus and sea urchin. One of the most flavourful meal I had was when I was in Valparaiso at Maralegre.

I had a very late lunch in Santiago one day and the hotel concierge directed me to La Picanteria, a Peruvian eatery.

Another good Peruvian restaurant recommended is La Mar Cebecheria, specializing in seafood dishes.

In Santiago, I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental, which is located in a newer part of town in Las Condes. Service was friendly and professional.

Gracias, Chile. It was a pleasant and at the same time, relaxing visit.