WOW what a stunning view as we flew over the Andes, absolutely breathtaking the photos do not do them justice. Mountains gradually give way to green valleys as the plane starts its  descent on to the tarmac.

Just a fleeting visit to Santiago due to a flight cancellation changing our plans. Stayed in a stylish apartment which was filled with some great art work, also brilliantly located for getting around on foot. As we have booked a further four nights in Santiago prior to our departure to Easter island decided to do a circular walk around taking in the main square, Pinochets old headquarters and finishing with a walk in the park leaving the serious sightseeing for our return.

Sorry  folks hoped to give you some photos but having trouble loading them?

Arrived in Arica ( the most northern town in Chile and the nearest to Peru ) what a change of scenery sand as far as the eye can see flanked by the Pacific Ocean one side and the Andes mountain range the other. We were met by a charming young man who decided to take us on a detour along the coast road pointing out things of interest on the way. Odd coming to a crossroads with road signs reading Bolivia one way Perú the other.

Besides sand the other thing in abundance are vultures I have never seen so many think of the largest rookery you have seen then multiply a hundred times ( might be slightly over exaggerating) not sure I will be laying on the beach I don’t want to be anybody’s dinner.

Dropped of our bags and went for a walk ending up at the bus station with the intention of booking our onward tickets. There is only one bus a day to Putre so thought it best to make sure we were on it also decided to book the bus to San Pedro de Atacama to ensure we could get a sleeper. Got talking to a really helpful lady (Beatrice Morice) in the ticket queue who helped us purchase our tickets and interestingly ran trekking tours  ( Atacama desert bike tours ) she had just come back from Bolivia where she had been running some tours and was on her way to Putre for a couple of days rest before returning home to San Pedro We have her card and hope to meet up with her for a drink when we get there.

more exploring tomorrow.

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