Jun 12, 2013 - arikaka

Wed hoped the beach in arica might be a bit note what we were lookin for, but sadly no. Iquique was better. Our wee hostel dude was very nice and helpful but I wanted to kill most of the noisy inconsiderate other hostel stayers. We thought about station another night for some beach time but the wind was pretty chilly, then we saw the beach (dump) and town centre (dump) so we managed to score a nice feed, good juice (bilz) and some yummy buns then buggered right off back across the border to Peru the next day.

Jun 10, 2013 - playa-n about in iquique

So we arrived here late on on the 8th....didn't like first hotel so as explained with the help of Chilean polis we got sorted with somewhere heaps better. Iquique is a strange mix, part easterhouse part Brighton. And Chilean Spanish is impossible to follow, although I didn't feel quite as bad about that when Peruvians told me they found it really hard to understand too. The beaches wed longed for are a bit of a dispointment...although again, I've been on the best beaches in the world (Scotland, Bahamas, nz and some of the Aussie ones - NOT...

Jun 9, 2013 - pisco'd up in chile

Were wasted on pisco sours for me and a well dodgy mojito plus some beers for Lou and after possibly the worst teriyaki chicken I ever had but the guys running the place are gay and are playin the best music ever we are officially wankered woohoo! Una yapa por favor! PS today we were fucked with no money and the stupid cash machine wouldnt work so I totally smiled at and flirted with a polis til they gave us a lift to a decent hostel.... Chilean polis rule! Wed have been shafted without them, wish I'd got a pic!

Mar 30, 2013 - Die letzte Etappe von El Chalten bis Punta Arenas - von den Bergen in die Pampa

Bericht folgt. Update 30.03.2013: Ich bin nun in Puerto Natales angekommen, dem letzten Zwischenhalt vor dem Ziel Punta Arenas. Es ist alles ok:-) Morgen So, dem 31.03.2013, werde ich weiterfahren. Update 04.04.2013: Die letzten km sind gefahren und ich bin nun am Ende meiner Radreise angekommen! Schön war´s aber nach nach 8´000+ km Radfahren kann man auch mal wieder was anderes machen, unter anderem Arbeiten;-) Update 09.04.2013: Seit gestern Mittag bin ich in Buenos Aires, wo ich noch bis Samstag abend "ausharren" muss, bis ich endlich...

Mar 24, 2013 - 24th Santiago-Sydney-Armidale (26th)

Finally in Santiago. Flying out at 11.20pm, 24th arriving Armidale 1.20pm Tues 26th. No pillow for too long! That says it all! Looking forward to being still for a long time. Thanks for being a follower. Adele wins the prize for best comments ......and she will enjoy the prize! ************************************************************************************************************************ Had walk to coast from hotel (about 2 km) to view the Pacific. Next landfall to W would be Coffs Harbour! Grey cool morning. Raul took us to the...

Mar 23, 2013 - Drive up Elqui Valley

Drove up Elqui Valley to Vicunia and Gabriella Mistral's village. Incredible valley contrasting dry cactus covered mountains with green agricultural land, growing grape vines and avocados on extremely steep slopes. Visited Pisco Distillery ....enjoyed tastings then lunch in quaint restaurant on hillside. Very warm day in the valley. Walk4ed around numerous villages. Relaxed back at Hotel with excellent dinner and sorted photos. The end is...

Mar 22, 2013 - Flight to La Serena

Early morning walk along waterfront. Short flight to La Serena Wandered the city admiring 200-300yr old buildings. Found great vegetarian/gluten free cafe for late lunch. Had worst meal ever for late dinner. Nearing the end. ************************************************************************************************************************ Early morning stroll along Antofagasta waterfront. City is very elongated between steep coastal range and the ocean. Warning signs about tsunami risk along coast. Picked up and transferred to...

Mar 21, 2013 - Drive to Antofagasta

Final walk around San Pedro. From desert to sea...from no vegetation and dust to ocean. What a spectacular contrast and the road was magnificent ...all tar! On arrival in Antafogasta we were given an upgrade to the Presidential Suite much to G & A's annoyance, although they were also upgraded to a Superior Suite. Enormous rooms with balcony overlooking the ocean. Haven't seen so many birds for ages. We were only there for 1 night! Met an older Queensland couple who had been driving around for the last 3 mths in the car that they had brought...

Mar 20, 2013 - Excursions

Anita and I took the easier option although it involved a 5.30am rise. We went to El Tatio Geisers (4,300m) by mini bus. We had breakfast at sunrise beside the geysers. These are the highest geisers in the world and as such need to be viewed before the day warms up as the vapour is very impressive at -9 deg C! . Drank Cacao Tea in the hope that it would clear the head! Returned for lunch and to await the arrival of the intrepid hikers who are attempting to climb from 5,110m to the top of Toco volcano at 5,600m. My reaction to altitudes, so...

Mar 19, 2013 - Tierratacama Hotel

Excursion 1 Together with a delightful couple ( he Swiss,she Mexican) we went Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley) . It was truly a Martian landscape geological formations containing salt and much of the ground was salt encrusted. Dark brown sand dunes (volcanic ash) created a striking contrast. pm Graham, Anita and I walked 2km along dusty road to the village of San Pedro where we visited the archeological museum. Fascinating artefacts from ancient (pre Inca /Pre Spanish ) times. Evening Excursion : Atacama Salt Flat We went to Toconao village...

Mar 18, 2013 - Drive to San Pedro de Atacama,

Back to Chile over high mountain range. Reached over 4,800m and very fuzzy headed! No effect on Paul but the rest of us really noticed the high altitude. Of course brilliant scenery, in fact phenomenal scenes of mountains, salt lakes and finally sand dunes.....Bolivia off in the distance. Arrived at a very dusty little mud brick town but our Hotel is like an oasis in the desert. 3 days of luxurious living coming up with the odd bike ride and excursions to geysers,volcanos and lakes. Hope my stomach improves so that I can enjoy the excellent...

Mar 16, 2013 - San Pedro de Atacama #2

Hola. As memory serves me, we last journalized just before we went to Rainbow Valley. Wow is all I can say! Another highlight! We made our way west--almoist 1/2 way to Calama and turned of the nicely paved road on to a fairly smooth compacted dirt road. When we came to a fork in the road, there was a national park gate on one so of course we went in. we discovered that the many rock formations--actually piles of rock--had pictographs mostly of llamas. As we had not taken a tour, details are a little sketchy as to when they were done....