Bangkok Mansions

We saw some impressive mansions today.  All were surrounded by high walls topped with sharp objects.  Homes probably were built in the 70s and 80s.  - an e-mail to a friend

Soi Rambuttri

*e-mail to a friend who enjoys traveling to Thailand

Glad you are safely home.  Yes, jet lag is a bummer.  They say you need one day for every hour of time difference to start feeling normal.  I like Soi Rambuttri.  When I lived in Bangkok, I was near the Victory Monument for a couple of years, then in the Pratunam area.  Kade is from the Thonburi side of Bangkok - across the river from Khao San.  It's quiet (for Bangkok), but is starting to really take off, which I know is not your thing.  The BTS and MRT expanding all over the city, and one line is going about a 1/4 mile from Kade's house.  It will help ease traffic congestion and property values are rising steadily.  Good hearing from you.  I have a pinched nerve in my neck and some shoulder pain, and won't be as energetic over the next few weeks.  omg

3/13/20

Kazan

Kazan is where Tartars (Mongols & Turks under the Khans) ruled Russia for 300 years.  Today this city is very diverse.  Old mosques (used by the tartars) are side by side with Russian Orthodox churches.

- I shared this with a friend in 2009.

Referencing Vietnam

I was e-mailing some family and friends about my travels to Vietnam.

Jimbo and Mackie, I have attached some images you will find to be of some significance.  Overall, we had a very favorable impression of Vietnam: friendly people, chilly weather, beautiful lakes, lovely ladies, great shopping, strong coffee and striking landmarks.  March 2006

Monica, these are some of our photos.  I have visited Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).  The Hanoi Hilton is the one where McCain was held.  One funny thing that Palin said last night was, "McCain doesn't know what it's like to lose a war."  I think those were her words.  The irony of that is that he actually does know.  We lost the Vietnam War.  Of course, I ask Americans all the time about the Vietnam War and very few understand it or know how to discuss it.  October 2008

No Plans Yet

Planning to go back (to Russia) anytime soon? - message from my cousin Natalie, ten years ago today

No plans yet.  But would love to.  Easily one of my fav journeys.  Hope to tour Leo Tolstoy's country estate and Tchaikovsky's home in Kiln (sp?), see the old cities of the Golden Ring, finally see Lenin's body, and my dream, take the Trans-Siberian Railway.  We shall see. 

The city was actually K-L-I-N, Russia.

Soi Thong Lo

I found the 2014 Mark Wiens video, and it was of Soi 38, at the Thong Lo BTS stop.  I do like walking Soi Thong Lo, at least halfway down and back to the station, along the left side.  There's a fried mussel pancake and pad Thai spot that's been around a while, and there's a beautiful mango market where you can get mango with sticky rice - all on the left side as you walk.  I actually lived near the Thong Lo bts station for six months or so.  Each little soi off Sukhumvit, though, has food stalls, and they change out during the day.  Soi Nana, a mini Patpong, has a lot of street food and is great for freaky people watching.  I saw a full-on sex show there back in 2000, my first time visiting.  I stayed in The Atlanta Hotel then - a moderately priced, historic hotel.  In terms of food, especially nowadays, if you want budget yet very tasty dishes, hard to beat a mall food court.  Terminal 21 has the best of the mall food courts, with great views looking out on the city as you eat your 40-60 baht dishes.  

I did want to mention an area: Pratunam.  It's the garment district, next to a canal behind Central World, in the area around Baiyoke 2, which is still the tallest building in Bangkok.  Pratunam, during the day and at night, has all types of food.  It's bustling, and amazing - a photographer's dream, I would imagine, too.  The Pratunam intersection has food stalls that are some of the best in the city.  They have chicken with rice, grilled pork, a durian and mango sticky rice stand and more.  mostly Thais there.  And, not sure if you have ever seen Bangkok from above.  Baiyoke 2 tower, if you hit it an hour before sunset, has unbelievable 360 views of the city.  Compared to the new Mahanakorn skywalk tower near Silom, Baiyoke 2 is cheaper and has a unique views.  If you want to see how enormous Bangkok is, that's a good place.  Plus, it's in the center of Pratunam.  Massage places are all around, too.  Do y'all get massages?  Hope so.  Traditional ones are nice, as are the oil massages.  I like the oil ones, and will pay for up to 90 minutes.  

Oh, and since you will be on Sukhumvit, I would like to share a gai yang (grilled chicken)/isaan restaurant that is on Soi Ekkimai (bts station is named Ekkimai).  You would have to walk a little ways to it, but it is so worth it.  They specialize in grilled chicken and unique varieties of som tam (like fruit som tam) you cannot easily find.  Thais know this place, of course, as do savvy expats.  I can give you the name and more exact info in coming days.  

One other quick thing:: the Baiyoke 2's revolving rooftop is a casual spot.  You can dress as "down" as you like.  And there's no need to buy drinks up there.

And you mentioned Soi Cowboy.  Yes, lots of neon. I walked through there once, just to look around.  Soi Nana also is a red light area, and has neon galore.  I always enjoy just walking Bangkok!!!

*e-mail to friend 2/25/2020

Chaos

An Aussie couple made a remark about Bangkok being chaotic.  It's a word I hear a lot, and it's true.  Bangkok's got all the mess you associate with that word, and yet all the fascination that chaos can reveal.  For new arrivals especially, Bangkok's sights, smells and noises captivate all the senses.  You've got to be in a certain frame of mind to experience this city.  It's not London or Washington, D.C., that's for sure.  Kade can tell you.  We darted in and out of Singapore last weekend and the contrasts between Singapore and Bangkok are unreal.  

- from one of my old e-mails

Thoughts on Travel

- e-mail to a friend during our Europe trip in 2018

1998 is a long time ago.  You might enjoy the nostalgia of a return to Paris.  I am a bit more of a cynic now.  I find great highs still from traveling, but lows I never saw before make appearances, too.  I'm more of a realist, I guess.  Florence was just magical to me because it was novel.  Paris is fabulous, I know, but doesn't have the same allure it once had.  Probably next up for us is Spain, or some place remote. 

If we go to Italy again, it will likely be the Amalfi coast and Siena.  Realistically, likely never will return.  Spain captures my imagination, and perhaps someday Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway will.  Would be nice to do those plus Croatia and Turkey, which would put me close to 50 countries.  I think, though, as I age I enjoy more relaxing trips and longer times at each destination.  While we were in Florence, I fantasized about staying there three weeks!  Asia is also great, but my heart is not into traveling to any particular country again - even any new ones - except for Thailand.  I know, of course, Kade and I will likely live there for 10-20 years, closing out our lives.  Hopefully, I will then be physically able to travel a bit.  Who knows?? I am a little spent mentally, and Kade as well.  Staying in Asheville is still pleasurable, and there are other places in the USA to see.  

Wat Arun

 vintage photos only

Books on Asia

source

These are ones I've read:

Thai Ways

Thai Culture in Transition
China Wakes
My Big, Big Honey
The Uzbeks
But, I Don't Give A Hoot
Fresh Air Fiend
10 Million Tigers
China: Lonely Planet
Bangkok in the Balance
Asian Mystique
Sailing Down the Yangtze
The Private Life of Chairman Mao
King Mongkut & The British
Pol Pot, Anatomy of a Nightmare
The Rape of Nanking
Rama IV (Travels to Europe)
Soviet Intervention in Afghanistan
The Peoples of Soviet Central Asia
The Sunflower
Isaan
When Elephants Weep
Bangkok: Then and Now
Bali
Dreams of India
India: Celebration of Festivals
China: 50 Years Inside the People's Republic
A Day in the Life of China
Kathmandu
The Jim Thompson House
Singapore
Russian Confronts Chechnya 

Charoen Krung Road

Sometimes it's spelled as one word: Charoenkrung.  This was the first modern paved road in Bangkok.  It is 5.3 miles (8.2 km).  Just last year, I walked quite a lot of Thanon Charoen Krung.

1950

Parrot Brand

Kade brought this back from Bangkok.  She creates a mist spray with it.  Freshens up the room!

Distinction Made

This is a reply to an American friend who said all Lenin, Stalin, Marx monuments were taken down after the break-up of the USSR:

I did some checking.  Stalin statues were largely removed in the late 50's and early 60's.  the last remaining ones were consigned to a statue park where you can find old Soviet leaders.  Lenin is a different story.  His statues can still be found all over Russia.  What's interesting is that in his will he made it clear that he did not want a masoleum built for him after he died.  He also was against the cult of personality and gave instructions that Stalin should not succeed him.  Of course, we know what happened.  Oh, and lastly, statues associated with socialism, like Marx and Engels, can still be found in Russia.  It's clear the Russians make a distinction between Stalin and his crimes and Lenin/socialism.  Feb. '09

Click here for examples of Lenin monuments in Russia.

Love Hotels

Since it is Valentine's Day, perhaps this post is appropriate.

At the end of this soi is Rose Town Hotel.  A soi or two over to the left, there's Banana State Fashion Hotel.  Both are Love Hotels.

What are Love Hotels?

14 Funkiest Love Hotels for Adult Fun in Thailand

Love Hotels in Buenos Aires

Hong Kong is modernizing love hotels

Had These

Well, we didn’t have these exact ones.  I think we bought ours in Chiang Mai, but could have very well been Bangkok.  I wish we still had them.  Sold them, or gave them away.

French Cuisine

 in Bangkok!

Philippe - off of Sukhumvit Rd

https://www.philipperestaurant.com/set-menu

Le Bouchon has been around forever.  It's in Silom. 

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100041373053911

Indigo is a new place on Convent Rd. https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100063543612191

Le Normandie - Oriental Hotel

Preference

source

These were a couple of ideas I presented to a relative who was traveling to Thailand.  The days were full days at a given place.  Counting travel days, the trip would be 45 days.

Do you prefer more days in a smaller # of cities/places with more quality time in each and fewer times moving about OR a chance to see and do more, even if it means a likelihood of being more tired?  

6 days Bangkok

6 days Chiang Mai
6 days Koh Phangan
6 days Penang
6 days Kuala Lumpur
6 days Bangkok

or

3 days Bangkok
2 days Sukhothai
2 days Phrae
3 days Lampang
6 days Chiang Mai
3 days Chiang Rai
6 days Koh Phangan
5 days Penang
6 days Bangkok

Beatniq

From the rooftop, he'll point out the Thong Lo BTS station.  Kade and I used to live very close to it.  Notice the BTS (skytrain) coming in.  Also, near the Thong Lo BTS station are Octave and Tichuca, two impressive rooftop bars. Down one more station, you are within walking distance of Sabaijai, an excellent restaurant (Northeastern Thai) people shouldn't miss when in Bangkok.

Squid Game 2

Notes From Bangkok

An American guy named Greg lives in our building.  As we were taking the skytrain yesterday, I asked him about his life.  He said he's mostly lived in San Fran and LA.  He's also lived in London (one year) and Paris (three).  I told him about our trip.  Also, I asked him what he likes about Bangkok.  Well, he said that it is the funnest city he's ever lived in, and the safest.  He said Thais are the least violent and calmest people he's ever encountered.  I then thought about how relaxed it is around the apartment.  I am the one that usually gets worked up.  Kade, on the other hand, is very easy-going.  Greg also said Bangkok is a great place for a single guy.  I knew exactly what he was saying.  If you want to get laid, this is the place.

I also recall a day when I met an older guy from Northern England - one who told me that the South (USA) is a lot like his area.  He said what brought him to Thailand was the quality of life.  He's been here for four years.  On the flipside, earlier that day, a brilliant young Indian lady complained about how hard it is to walk in this town.  She said the air pollution was bothering her. 

- an e-mail from February 2006

Sindhorn Village

Not sure where I got this photo.  I put a check above the Kimpton Maa-Lai, a lovely hotel on Langsuan Rd and part of Sindhorn Village.  It's home to Bar.Yard, one of my favorite rooftop bars in all of Bangkok.  Just in front of it is the Sindhorn Kempinski, a 5-star hotel.

Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

What is behind the design?

Click here to learn more about the entire Sindhorn Village project.

A perfect day for me would involve a late lunch at Khrua Nai Baan on Langsuan Rd.  Afterwards, I would take a stroll around Velaa Sindhorn Village.  When done there, I would walk over to the Kimpton Maa-Lai to check out their lobby and gardens.  I would then walk out their side door to the beautiful garden shared with the Sindhorn Kempinski.  I would then make my way inside the Sindhorn Kempinski to take a look at the gorgeous lobby.  I could see ordering a cappuccino and possibly some dessert as the pianist entertains.  I would relax there.  At some point, though, likely around 4 or 4:30 PM, I would walk back to the Kimpton Maa-Lai.  Bar.Yard Rooftop would be calling.  Admire the skyline while sipping a cocktail and munching on an appetizer.

Elephant Parade Bangkok

 Read about it here.

Mass Transit System

My 90+ yr old neighbor who grew up in Brooklyn said that NYC's subway was once both privately and publicly-owned...I guess, like Bangkok's?  At some point, the city took it all over.  Not sure how great he'd say that was.  I need to ask.

The Two Sisters

Also, see the Assumption Cathedral, top-right.

The Oriental Hotel

East Asiatic Company

Assumption Cathedral

Chinese Explorer

 

Who was Ma Huan?

Ma Huan's Yingya Shenglan

Yarowat

This is in Yarowat (Chinatown).  The video starts at Wat Traimit, site of the solid gold buddha that's worth $250 million.  You will also see the gate to Chinatown.  They closed off the street for the festivities.  Kade and I went to a couple of other temples in Yarowat last year.  The video shows one of them.  When in Bangkok, a walk around Yarowat is very interesting, especially at nighttime.  Food is delicious.

Philippines

 

I would say Palawan is your best bet for island hopping.  El Nido and Puerto Princessa are your starting points. Puerto Princessa might have the most options in terms of day trips: underground river tours, bays, beaches and islands.  There is also Coron in Busuanga. 

* A friend who lived in the Philippines shared these tips when I asked for the best spots for island-hopping.  I'd like to visit sometime in the next three years.  We shall see!

Far Fewer

A friend who enjoys traveling reached out to me.

You once said, if I recall, that I gathered experiences and not possessions. Overall, I think you have a valid point. Your analysis is astute, and perceptive.

My reply: Those will be with you to the end, and you can relive them over and over, in your thoughts and with your friends.  Still, we need some creature comforts: good bed, decent clothing and shoes, and possibly other things.  But, I bet we'd all be alright with fewer things....far fewer.

Thai Airways

source

I will keep adding vintage ads here.

 

Eats

In 2022, on a trip to Bangkok with Kade, I wrote down everything I ate.  I did so, in large part, because people ask me what the food is like.  I didn't always confer with Kade to get the spellings right.  And sometimes I was just left to describe things the best I could.  Here we go.

Arrival

Khawtom mud (banana in sticky rice)
Coconut ice cream

1st Full Day (Sunday)

Coconut Ice Cream
Sticky rice with banana inside (khao tom mud)
Moo ping with sticky rice
Iced coffee
Steamed coconut with shredded sweet coconut inside (wrapped in banana leaf)
Kanom khrok (coconut rice pancake)
Green curry with chicken
Green curry with fish balls
Stir-fried stink beans and shrimp
Bitter melon stuffed with ground pork
Panang pork
tart-sweet fresh mango

2nd day Monday

Curry puffs
Iced latte
Seafood fried rice
tea
Steamed white buns, pork and egg inside
Salted stuffed dough pyramid sweet (ka nhom tian si kem)
Kai palo with rice (2 eggs)
Big bowl of coconut ice cream

3rd day Tuesday

Kai palo (two eggs)
Moo Krapow
Iced latte
Coconut to drink
Rambutan
Ice cream
Salted stuffed dough pyramid sweet (ka nhom tian si kem)
Isaan sausage
Fried pork with sticky rice

4th day (Wed)

Iced coffee
fried rice with seafood
Iced coffee
Stewed pork with rice
Deep fried crab roll
Coconut ice cream
Shredded coconut
Khanom thuai

5th day (Thurs)

Kai Palo
Red Curry Bamboo Shoots with chicken
Phat Phrik Khing
Stir-fried bamboo shoots with chicken
three types of durian
Iced latte
Northern Thai sausage (Sai ua)
Sweet sticky rice with custard
Sweet sticky rice with miniatue shrimp (dessert)

6th day (Friday)

Pad see ew
Stir fried kale with crispy pork and fried egg
Thai tea
Iced coffee
Three types of durian
Crab curry potato chips
more durian at home

7th day (Sat)

durian
moo ping with sticky rice
coconut dessert (coconut top, pandan bottom)
coconut shake
duck larb
pork liver salad
regular larb
grilled chicken
grilled pork
sticky rice
seafood som tam
salty egg som tam
regular som tam

8th day (Sun)

Nescafe (2 cups)
durian
latte
seafood in Samut Sakhon

9th day (Mon)

Nescafe
durian
Egg yolks (sweet)
Coconut banana leaf (sweet)
mangosteen
durian
rice soup with egg (jok)

10th day (Tues)

Nescafe
Pad Thai
Fried Shell (mussels)
cafe latte at Starbucks
French custard
Fried calamari
two cocktails
Fish and chips
Coconut
Durian

11th day (Wed)

Nescafe
Gravy noodles with pork
Amazon iced latte
Waffle (sweet)
Bubble Tea
Cocktail
7-11 sandwich
7-11 bread with shredded pork inside
7-11 ready 2 eat meal
Soy Milk

12th day (Thurs)

Nescafe
almond pastry
curry chicken pastry
Sushi Den (restaurant)
Japanese cake and ice cream

13th day (Fri)

Nescafe
Dim Sum
Pepsi
durian
coconut ice cream

14th day (Sat)

Nescafe
Southern Thai food
Latte
coconut ice cream
durian

15th day (Sun)

Nescafe
Mocha at Pinklao
Orangino at Starbucks
Bun with pork floss on top
grilled sweet sticky rice stuffed with banana
Coconut sweet (shredded coconut on outside), Yok Manee
Durian
green - sweet mango
durian
papaya

16th day (Mon)

Nescafe
Sausage roll & mini croissant
Pepperoni pizza pastry (2)
Custard apple
Durian
Sala plums

17th day (Tues)

Thai tea custard bun
Shredded pork bun
Sticky rice with grilled banana filling
Conveyor belt sushi
Cocktails
Peanuts
Fried calamari
Gravy noodles
Napa cabbage
Bamboo with pork
Mango shake
Thai lemon tea

18th day (Wed)

Bun with shredded pork
Nescafe
fried bananas
fried sweet potato
durian
Sweet-tart mango
Coconut
Kai palo
Tart-sweet mango

19th day (Thurs)

Nescafe
Frosted lemonade
Lemon juice
Crepes (sweet)
Strawberry milk
Chocolate milk
toast with pandan
toast with coconut custard
Pork larb
Pork with beans
Son-in-law eggs
Chinese sausage
Lemongrass soup with chicken
Iced dessert

20th day (Fri)

Nescafe (2)
Iced latte
Khao Mok Gai
Coconut Shake
Thai whiskey
Shot of Thai rum
Old-fashioned
grilled pork
sausage (glass noodles, rice)
crepes

21st day (Sat)

Nescafe
Khao Ka Moo sai Kai
Iced dessert
Negroni
Nut mix
Japanese dinner with beer
Beer

22nd (Sun)

Nescafe
Moo satay
Gai Ping
Crispy Catfish
Fish cake
Shrimp cake
Sweet Pork
Jub Chai (vegetable stew)
Crispy green mango
Durian

23rd (Mon)

Nescafe
Iced latte and a sip of matcha latte
bite of moo gra pao
hot coffee
Iced rose tea
shrimp and pork dim sum
Morning glory salad
Another salad
fried wontons
lemon tea & roselle tea
6 cocktails
Shrimp crackers
mixed nuts
two sausage buns
Moo satay (2)

24th (tues)

Nescafe
Curry puff
Moo ping and sticky rice
Slice of pizza
Mocktail & Cocktail
Sushi
Dessert
Weiner buns
Shredded pork buns
Thai tea custard buns

25th (wed)

Nescafe
Sausage buns
Curry puffs
Shredded pork buns
Isaan food in Silom
Cocktails
Fanta Orange
Sausage buns
Ham bun
Tart-sweet mango

26th (Thurs)

Nescafe
Suki seafood noodles
Crispy pork moo kra pow
Pat see ew
coconut shake
coconut desserts (corn, sweet potato topping)
durian

27th (Fri)

Nescafe
bite of byrani
Coconut shake
Belgian frites
two cocktails
Japanese meal with Jeff
Thai tea custard bun
Salty egg custard bun

28th (Sat)

Nescafe
Durian
Jasmine pandan jelly tea
Pad Thai & fried shell
Durian
Thai tea custard roll

29th (Sun)

Nescafe
Chicken green curry
Kai Pailo
Chinese Sausage
Sprite
durian
Chicken puff
Coconut dessert balls

Street Foods

- message to a cousin who was traveling with me to Bangkok

When we're over there, it will be easy to point out some good eats.  Grilled meats, especially pork and chicken, are usually very good.  Make sure you order some sticky rice with it.  There's one type called Moo Satay.  Moo means pork.  It has a coconut marinade, and it's tasty.  They offer a cucumber vinegar side salad, but I don't eat it. I usually skip uncooked items at food stalls, simply to avoid the possibility of getting an upset stomach.  Cooked things don't concern me so much.  

Pluses

When I was traveling in June '22, a friend and fellow traveler asked about some of the positives I was experiencing in Thailand, a country he also knows very well.

My reply:

1.  The MRT and BTS are very nice.  Except for one really weird interchange, pretty seamless to use.

2.  Massages 

3.  Durian and all the other fruits.  Can't beat it.

4.  Thai food is so varied and flavorful.  You truly could go to one restaurant for an entire year and be happy.  Food back home is boring in comparison.

5.  The heat and humidity force your body to adapt to a more efficient, healthier diet.  And although I have shared examples of a spike in obesity, overall you can more easily maintain a healthy weight in Thailand.

His response: 

Good points on transport, fruit, and sweating. Thais usually eat five smaller meals in a day, which may be better for one's  digestion, actually.  A bit of rice and fish, a few veggies, is not bad.  Add the sweat of walking in a humid climate, with shall we say, natural elimination cycles, and yes, one does control one's weight better overall.  The fruit is totally amazing, nearly the worth trip alone.

Dreaming

Uncle Jim, next year when we go on the Trans-Mongolian Railway I am hoping Timour will take us to Vladimir to see where his father lives.  Click here for an aerial view of it.  It's 3 hours east of Moscow, I think.  - email to my uncle in 02/2012

MRT Blue Line

Travel Guide

source

Bangkok's BTS (skytrain) & MRT (metro) continue to expand.

The future looks bright!

source

Bamrung Mueang Road

I walked the entire road - both sides of it - in 2024.

Bamrung Mueang (often spelled, Muang) was the second paved road in Bangkok. 

1881

In the photo, take note of Wat Saket on left, up on the hill.  Wat Suthat is right-center.  And if you look hard enough, you can spot the Giant Swing, left-center.

Click here for one of my Bamrung Mueang walks.  And click here for the other.

Bangkok Construction Update

2024 edition

I love this website!

Hat Yai Fried Chicken

On our recent trip to Bangkok, we ate fried chicken a few times.  The chicken is chopped into sections and served with sticky rice and some sweet & spicy sauce.  It's very good!

recipe

Tang Hua Seng

Tang Hua Seng is a department store with two Bangkok branches.  The Thonburi branch recently went out of business, but will possibly reopen under new ownership and after extensive renovations.

Click here for an article about the closing.

I will continue to add to this post.

Altar

If you had an altar that big, what would you place it to give you inspiration and comfort??  I need to think of my own.

I would go with portraits of my wife, my mother and my grandfather, a black bear figurine, an abstract drawing of a yoni, used passports, a globe, and a fake headstone with my name on it.  And I would place fresh durian out to appease the gods. Of course, I would sneak down and eat it during the night.

Street Interviews

Chai is on Khao San Rd in Bangkok.  He Talks with people from Chile, France, Hungary, Australia, USA and Italy.  I like the first man and the solo female traveler from Chile.  Wow!  Great advice. 

Hua Lamphong Railway Station

1935

Cologne

Cologne, Germany - Britannica

Cologne Cathedral

My great-uncle and I arrived in Cologne by train (from Bonn) and we walked inside the huge cathedral and around the city.  This was in the '90s.

The 14 best things to do in Cologne

Chile Tips

source

● from 2016 e-mails ●

We went to Valparaiso and beaches a bit north and south of there.  The ones south are a bit more beautiful.  Hold on to your wallet in Val.  With your daughter being there and a family helping, should have no problems.  In between Valparaiso and Santiago are some fabulous wineries.  I would recommend at least one!  Santiago is also interesting.  You can also take day hiking tours outside Santiago.  Definitely recommend the San Francisco Glacier.  If you need a guide, I know a very reliable and trustworthy local, and an outdoor tour company that is superb.  You will have an awesome time. We spent about 20 days there, and eight in Argentina.  Great escapes! 

The guides I know specialize in day trips out of town, especially nature trips.  Chile has so much to offer.  The company name is Hike Chile.  They are a little pricey, but good.  I also know a guy who works with a company and he does trips on the side.  They are less expensive that way.  If you want to hike, ride horses or do some other activity while you're in Santiago, this guy is worth it, as is Hike Chile.  If you are staying in Valparaiso the entire time, I would research tour companies in that city.   Trip Advisor will give you ideas, and the reviews are very helpful.  You can take free walking tours in Valparaiso and Santiago.  However, if you are dealing with your big family unit (4 or more), I would think it's best to pay for private tours, which include a guide, driver and vehicle.

The biggest tip I could give you - and I don't know your travel experience, who's going with you and their ages, the age of the daughter studying there, or how much research you have done already - is take safety precautions seriously in Santiago and especially Valparaiso, which may have the worst reputation for pick pocketing and theft in South America.  Read what you can online and in guidebooks for safety tips before you go.  You don't have to worry about your physical safety (unless in wrong places at night), but anytime of the day your wallets, handbags, shopping bags, luggage, wallets, passports and smartphones could be snatched.  So be smart.  iPhones are particularly popular, and if you and your kids have them out like you do here, believe me, someone will look for an opportunity.  They are known to identify targets and wait for a time to walk up and snatch a phone right our of your hands! We bought a tiny camera with wrist strap at Best Buy for our outdoor photos and kept our smart phone in our pocket, only pulling it out when it was absolutely safe, or in a coffee shop or restaurants.  Backpacks are easy pickings for thieves.  They can be cut open in crowded spots. 

We had nothing stolen, and I didn't even detect the possibility.  However, I read all the warnings and used my years of experience to limit the chances.  A lady I know from Asheville - her husband has his wallet and passport stolen on the metro in Santiago.  But again, I emphasize that Val has a horrible reputation.  If you are smart (not paranoid) and sure of of your day's plans and don't stick out so much, you will be fine.  The key is reading up, taking precautions and utilizing the tour companies to take you around.  They will be your security, too.

Good luck.  Chile is one of my fav countries!!!!

My BKK Rooftop Bar Ratings

I considered many things: Views, First Impression, Concept, Bar, Bartenders, Drinks, Service, Music, Food, Accessibility, Comfort

GOLD

(top tier)

Abar

Aesop's 

Akara Sky Hanuman 

Attitude Fusion Tapas

Bar.Yard

Belga

Char

Eagle Nest

Hidden Square

Hi-So

Hyde & Seek

Luz

Moon Bar

Octave

Sky Bar

The Water Club

Throwback

Tichuca  

Trans Blue

Up & Above

Vue

SILVER

(middle tier)

Above Eleven

AkaAza

amBar

Anju Korean

Antito

Atmos on Top

Brewski

Cielo

Cooling Tower

Distil Bar

Escape

Haven

Heaven

Japanish

Paradise Lost

Pastel

Penthouse Bar + Grill

RedSquare

River Vibe

Scarlett 

Sirocco

Siwilai City Club

Sky Beach

Sky on 20

Spectrum

Swing Bar

The Speakeasy Bar

The St. Regis Bar

Three Sixty Lounge

Tribe Sky Beach Club

Vanilla Sky

Yao

BRONZE

(bottom tier)

89 Sky Bar

Above Riva

Aire

Astro9 

Bangkok Heightz

Barracuda 

Cactus

Cat on the Roof

Clover Sky Bar

Flashback

Legend

Nest

Palate

S'amuser 

Seen

Starlight

The Press Skybar

The Roof @ 38th

The Roof Top Bar

Top Knot

Trok Silom

UFO

View Bangkok

Walk

Honorable Mention

Mojjo

Nomad

Rainforest

Rum & Orange

Tt

Haven't Tried Yet

137 Pillars Suites

212

342 Bar

360 Walk In Cafe

7th Heaven

Alfresco 64

Amorosa

Assembly Point

Bamboo

Bangkok Sky Rooftop Club

Bangkok View

Bargyuu

Blue Sky

Bravo BKK

Cocoa XO

CRU Champagne

Dark Waters

Dumbo

Flute

Gaginang

GenZ

High Garden by Four Twenty

High Streats

Jomo Bar

Lacol Bangkok

lebua No. 3

Leelabar

Le Du Kaan

Magpie The Fortune Bar

Mami Rose

Mandalay

Nimitr

Nobu

On Top Khaosan

Osca & Blanco

Pink

Phra Nakhon Bar & Gallery

Raylist

Red Sky

Rocco Club

Rooftop Bar

Sin

Sol & Luna BKK

Smalls Bar & Live Music

Spire

Summit Tower

Stash Cannibas Rooftop Bar & Lounge

Sunset

Sway Bar

Take A Train

The City Wave

The Dishes

The Moments (temporarily closed)

The Ordinary Bar

The Parlor

The Roof - Rama 3

The Rooftop Bar

The Cassette Sky Bar

Tulum

Vanguard

WALK

Walk-in Cafe

Yarbar Secret Bar

Yellow Roof

Zoom

Zook