February 21, 2026 – Hotel Move, Shopping, and Chilean Seafood
Morning – Move to Mandarin Oriental & Antarctica Embarkation Registration
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Checked out of Holiday Inn Express Las Condes and moved to Mandarin Oriental Santiago.
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Completed registration for the upcoming Antarctica cruise embarkation.
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Our room was not ready yet, so we decided to explore the neighborhood.
Late Morning – Mall Visit & Local Snack
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Walked to Parque Arauco Mall for some shopping and sightseeing.
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Stopped for a traditional Chilean street food snack called a Completo at Dominó, a popular chain known for its Chilean hot dogs.
Afternoon – Check-in & Seafood Dinner
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Checked into our room at the Mandarin Oriental, which was comfortable and conveniently located.
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For dinner, we went to Miraolas, a renowned seafood restaurant. Highlights of the meal included:
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Conger eel – fresh, flaky, and delicious
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Croak – tender and flavorful
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Sea urchin roe – exceptional, considered the best among the Chilean seafood mix
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Other seafood in the mix included shrimp, cod, salmon, clams, and scallops
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The meal showcased the rich flavors of Chilean seafood and was a perfect send-off before the Antarctic adventure.
Highlights of February 21
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Hotel move to Mandarin Oriental
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Registration for Antarctica cruise
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Exploring Parque Arauco Mall
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Tasting a classic Chilean completo
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Seafood dinner at Miraolas with fresh eel, croak, sea urchin, and assorted seafood
February 22, 2026 – Morning Stroll at Araucano Park
Morning – Araucano Park Visit
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After breakfast at the Mandarin Oriental Santiago, we had some free time before the next leg of the trip.
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Visited Parque Araucano, a peaceful green space featuring walking paths, playgrounds, and a rose garden. The rose garden was especially beautiful, with vibrant blooms and fragrant flowers.
Neighborhood Morning Activities
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The surrounding residential neighborhood was lively in the morning:
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People jogging along the paths
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Basketball and soccer games in the open courts
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A small yoga session specifically for pregnant couples, showing the community’s active lifestyle
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The park was serene yet vibrant, offering a perfect final glimpse of Santiago’s local life before embarking on the Antarctica adventure.
Highlights of February 22 Morning
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Relaxing stroll in Parque Araucano and rose garden
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Observing vivid local morning activities: jogging, basketball, soccer, and prenatal yoga
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Enjoyed the calm and lively atmosphere of the residential area surrounding the park
