Pictures, People, Places - Entry 8 - Chile

South America - Chile

We had just under 6 weeks to make it from Santiago to Quito which is just under 4000km as the crow flies. We however are not crows and flying was untenable as unlike Asia or Oz flights around SA are just crazy expensive. So instead of flying we had to go overground on roads which are not quite like the ones you use to take to work everyday. They are not all in a state of disrepair but they have roads that are so bad you should not have people on them let alone cars. It has been quite a journey.

We just happened to by on the same NZ to Chile flight as a couple from Scotland and also the same bus despite several delays on both our parts. We were having problems with the fruit which we had left in our bag and they were just having problems collecting their luggage. Although we did not speak on the bus (you do not feel much like talking after a 17 hour flight) we knew of a hostel and they did not so we went together. This theme of going together lasted over 35 days and we were to become great friends and travel buddies throughout 3 countries. We love you Susan and Dave.
It was a crazy and fantastic month which no doubt Susan documented better than me as she is someone with the commitment of the daily travel journal, but the highlights still stand out to me like diamonds in the rough;

Valle de Elqui - An insane micro climate that allows crops all year round and a trip to a Pisco factory where you are allowed to drink the 70% proof stuff that is illegal to sell. An insane burn is followed by a surprising fruitiness.

San Pedro de Atacama - A barronous dessert that has only had 5mm of rain in the last three years. Dryer than your mouth the day after a night on the port. Bike rides through Star Wars Tatooeen style landscapes with the added difficulty of being above 4000m and you can imagine some lung busting hill climbs. It really was worth it though as it was almost like cycling around in a dream.

Geysers and Fumaroles - For you non science buffs that means water and fumes coming out of the ground at occasional staggering speed. Due to the very extreme temperature changes between day and night the water freezes and then expands and at a certain point explodes. This happens around 6am and as the site was about 2 hours away it was a very early (4am) and very cold (-20c) awakening. It was worth every moment of discomfort as it was amazing to behold.