So there we were, heading off to the west coast of Chile for a very unique and one off Christmas.

Christmas has been a bit of rope round our necks for a while, something we were all looking forward to, however also something that was getting in the way of our plans.   

It was consuming a disproportionate time of our thoughts and getting in the way a bit.  The kids wouldn't stop talking about, and neither could I. 

Christmas was really going to be a one off.  We weren't going to be spending it alone, my sister and family were also coming over. 

Back in May, over three months before we left, we booked an apartment for 12 nights for our festive fun.  At this point we hadn't even booked flights.  A serious amount of time and effort had been put into this and in the end we chose a small fishing village called Caleta Horcon. 

The Condominio Playa Cau Cau sits on the cliftop overlooking Caleta Horcon beach. It is essentially a private holiday park.  We chose it because of the list of facilities. Basically it pretty much had everything. Not only pool, playpark, shop etc.  It also has steps down to a stunning, remote beach. 

My sister didn't decide to join us until late summer, just before we left and although it was challenging for them to get the arrangements made, it eventually all came together. 

Due to work commitments they needed to leave on Christmas Eve and would arrive in Arturo Merino Benites International Airport at approx 10am on Christmas day. 

This to many would seem like a bit of a chore, a hassle, something you could do without on Christmas day.  Nothing could be further from the truth, it was a pleasure, I was getting a visit from my family on Christmas day. 

So at 8am on Christmas day I headed off on the two hour trip to pick them up.   

The roads were empty and other than the feelings of guilt that I felt, having not picked up a lone hitchhiker, half an hour outside of Santiago (the look of disappointment on his face as I drove past in an empty pickup is still fresh in my mind) the trip passed without note. 

Hitch-hiking is a big thing in South America and it isn't like I drove past and thought nah yer alright. It wasn't like that.  I was going pretty fast and was well past him before I had realised what was going on.  Perhaps I should have been more aware, we have hitch hiked a few times and we always got picked up really quick.  

As I was saying the trip was easy.  I arrived at the airport nice and early and after getting parked headed off to International Arrivals.  

Having never been in International Arrivals in Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport before, I am probably not qualified to say whether it was busier than normal or not.  It did seem so though.  

There was a bit of a Chrismassy feel to the place, not in a winter wonderland sense that we have back home.  There was no mulled wine, German sausages or even hot chocolate.  There was a lot of people clutching Christmas presents and a fair few people, being a bit quirky, wearing santa hats, rudolf ears etc.  

Being someone who is very impatient, the wait for them to finally appear was torturous, I was regretting arriving in plenty of time.  When they appeared it was brilliant though.  After waiting for an hour or so, my four dishevelled, pasty faced Scots walked through the doors.  

My family had arrived, Christmas had started.  

We arrived back in Caletta Horcon about 2ish and within no time Ruth and co were settled in their apartment which rather conveniently was down the stairs and across the hall from ours. This really was a perfect setup.  

The rest of our time was brilliant, drinking and chatting on the balcony, chilling by the pool, chilling on the beach, repeat etc.  

Someone commented on facebook, what will you have for Christmas dinner? The answer is curry.  

In these situations filling your belly and watching Coronation Street, slumped on the couch isn't an option (I do miss Corrie).  Chat, catching up and having a laugh with loved ones takes centre stage.  

The days all merged into one, in a good way, it was relaxing and morning hangovers aside, easy.  

Hogmanay is just as big in Chile as back home and although there isn't a castle here, there is the rocks just off the beach to fire off the fuego artificial.  

We were told we had the best seats in the house for the fireworks and it became clear from the large crowd that gathered below our balcony at about 11:30 that it was unlikely that we had been miss sold.  

Although we all still had a few days left here, it felt like a fitting finale to the festive period for us (yes I know Christmas is supposed to last 12 days).  

Like most we spent the 1st of January doing very little, thankfully on a beach, reading books, building sandcastles and jumping waves.  Couldn't be more perfect.  

All good things come to an end and as a last swansong we headed off to the famous city of Valparaiso.  

It is a city rich in history, the military coup in the 70s started here, a UNESCO world heritage site, major port, famous for fireworks displays that gives Edinburgh a run for its money, graffiti central, culinary central, overall a place with a bit of a reputation.  

It was the second of January, a public holiday, a day when everyone is heading out. So needless to say it was a bit busy traffic wise.  

From a UNESCO point of view it is spot on, beautiful, right up there with the nicer places you will visit, particularly for South America.  The funicular railways up the hills are works of art and really should be in a museum, however they still work and are great fun.  

Obviously we missed the fireworks, however judging by the sheer volume of Champagne  bottles and beer cans struan by the side of the motorway, it is some party.  

The graffiti is everywhere and I know some people don't like it, I do though and enjoyed seeing every available gap site or gable wall brightened up.  

Culinary wise, Houston we have a problem.  Nowhere was open, we came with a top class recommendation and it was closed.  Not to worry, we have our book. Closed, closed and closed.  We did eventually find a nice cafe and once everyone was fed they were much happier.  

On leaving it was disconcerting to see smoke engulf the city, it was everywhere, turns out it was a forrest fire on the edge of the city and is unfortunately something that happens from time to time round here. Hopefully everyone is ok.  

Come the morning of the 3rd we have to all leave and head off to Santiago the holiday is over.  

Hang on a minute, we have one night left together.  

Lorne