Rio Bidasoa Hotel Santiago

... was cold and gray and the smog hung thick in the air like Hong Kong but we really enjoyed our time in Santiago. After the trials and tribulations of Colombia, it was great to be back in more familiar surroundings. We did a bit of shopping, enjoyed the hip evening scene (Jacque had sushi for the first time in months- not so good with red wine but she couldn’t resist), visited the modern art museum, ate lunch at the fish markets and walked the boulevards ...

... amp; spraying 400 litres of deodorant in the room!

We were all so so tired – Fitzy had 2 hours sleep as the guys snoring too didn't help anything. The 2 girls were leaving for Easter island so he was awake and got up to say goodbye – I was so tired I couldn’t bring myself to get up.

He couldn’t of got far with those short legs. Jack was saying as we couldn’t track down Horse to get the Micro Mini Bus on the road.

Took us about 2 hours ...

... our favourite. * We spent the first couple of nights in Hostal So Be, but it was a bit ****. Whilst wandering round we found Luz Azul which was beautiful so we moved there for the remainder, despite that meaning that Mike and I were in a shared dorm (boo!). * Sarah hung around with us until she flew back up to hook onto her itinerary in Cusco. As one of the founder members of the Mojo Brigade ...

... I think I'll get some more of this wine"...."could somebody pass me the bread"...I think I could get a big plate so I can have more". I could see a few people were thinking the same as I kept making ete contact at the same point and then we'd end up smiling. In the end I muttered under my breath "could you BE more annoying" and the relevant people knew what and who I meant. Then he said "I need an empty plate so I have somewhere to put all my trash"..I ...

... attempted a not-so-scientific experiment to see how many different nationalities could pass out together whilst wedged uncomfortably into a two-by-four metre balcony.


The result was sadly not recorded. Neither - you´ll be gobsmacked to find out - was anything noted in my journal that day. In retrospect, aside from this chance all-day bender and an amusing visit to a Moulin-Rouge-meets-Hooters style cafe (scantily-clad women ...

... some of Marcela's family they have been very nice. I'm not sure what they make of me, and I can never tell if they are laughing at me or with me.They are pretty friendly the odd person speaks English but for the most part I'm learning Spanish as I go ...

... of the lodging options, I settled in a modest residencia near the main drag (Avenida O'Higgins) for around $18US a night. It had everything necessary for a good night sleep (a bed and a quiet street) and it was close enough to subway and to my airport bus. I could not wish anything better. With half a day left to me for ransacking the town, the choices weren't many. I took a subway to Baquedano and then set a rather chaotic course among the almost orderly ...

... over lunch on the secluded porch of the house with a verdant vista of winery's gardens. All in the name of "work", I enjoyed a three-course meal on a most-perfect day paired with Concha y Toro wine. The Trio Pinot Noir, a pinot noir comprised of pinot noir from three different locations, hit the mark as a sublime pairing for the salmon tartar. Chilean winemakers often present their pinot noir in an apologetic tone, as did Franck ...

Viimeiset viikot on menossa. Tuntuu aikas hullulta enkä oo oikeen vielä oikeen ymmärtänyt että kohta on jo paluu kotosuomeen. Vaikka kovasti odotan jo rakkaiden näkemistä, en oo oikeen uskaltanut ajatella sitä. Oon nyt tottunut elämään täällä, epäorganisoituneessa yhteiskunnassa, eikä elämä on tuntunut ihan mukavalta. Ja mikä parasta, nyt on lämmin ja aurinko paistaa lähes joka päivä. Tuntuu hyvältä. Oon yrittänyt ruskettua mahdollisimman paljon, ker ...

... we even started climing.



The road to the top was a winding stone path which was quite dis-jointed, so we had to walk past many park benches en route. I guess this gives people a chance to rest from the heat.

Nearly every bench seated an amorous young ...