Chile...Reflections

As we enter a chaotic period of travelling with three flights and four countries in eight days plus crossing the international date line, it also marks the end of our time here in South America.

It was a very rare treat with an Argentinian farewell of filet mignon, lemon trout and a bottle of Malbec, before boarding the spectacular return flight back across The Andes to Santiago, Chile.  We were met with temperatures of a stifling 34 degrees centigrade making it a little hot in our room which was basically an understairs cupboard with no fan, but unsurprisingly cheap.  

Santiago, Chile. Our last stop in South America.

Although we’ll be sad to leave after spending three months here, we feel ready to do so as Vanessa is so bored with the food that she almost became a carnivore and to be honest, we’re sick of Spanish and don’t really care if we never hear it spoken again.

We never planned to stay in Chile for more than a couple of days as we just couldn’t do it justice because of the high prices but somehow we managed to spend 11 days here. From the moment we set foot inside the country it turned into a bit of disaster with the bizarre flooding in The Atacama Desert and then being unable to cross the border again to continue our intended route through Argentina. However, we’ve loved our unexpectedly long stay in Santiago and it’s fitting place to end our stay in South America.

DAYS SPENT:   11

TRANSPORT:  1 plane, 7 buses, 2 taxis, 3 undergrounds

NUMBER OF PLACES WE STAYED:  4 hostels, 1 night bus

ITEMS LOST/BROKEN:  none

FAVOURITE EATERY:  Peztoro in Santiago

WILDLIFE SPOTTED: mangy dogs

TOURS TAKEN:  Death and Moon Valley in San Pedro de Atacama

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY:  bus ticket to Santiago just to get us out of San Pedro