Blogs from Atacama, Chile, South America
May 16th 2012
Hey hey! Apparently San Pedro is a quiet town... Until us and the Irish Boys rocked up... It can only be described as a old style Western town with sanded roads, small wooden shacks of restaurants and bars and a lovely feel about it. We loved it. The boys stayed in a cheap shack of a hostel but Tracy wasnt having any of it as the snob in her came out and thought there was a deal (and hammocks) to be had elsewhere. We trapsed around town in hot sunshine searching for her hammocks. We found them though to be fair and managed to grab a bargain at the same time at Hostel Covastch... Very nice but we later discovered very strict like boarding school! No alcohol in kitchen, everyone out of common areas by 10pm ... read more
May 9th 2012
Well it's been a while amigos, but I figured it was time I finally got started on another travel blog. Since we last spoke I've been on a rather mad dash through South America and now sit in an internet cafe in San Pedro de Atacama, in the driest desert in the world in Chile. I have had some rather amazing adventures en route and could write for hours, but I'm promising myself I really will keep this entry a little more succinct... So when I left you last I was in Caye Caulker, Belize, which frankly feels like a lifetime ago. After spending a few more days relaxing in Caye Caulker I went and stayed for a night in Belize City before my flight to Ecuador...what an absolute hole! I would never recommend anyone go ... read more
April 13th 2012
We were able to take our first vacation over the Easter break. We visited a gem of a place called San Pedro de Atacama--the desert! Kurt, Kelly and I took a bus there directly after school on Thursday as we were quite eager and wanted to get there first! Prisclia and Catherine took a later bus that night, and Alison and Miguel drove in with Marc as their passenger. Sam and Nico drove in the next day to meet us. Since we were the first to arrive, we were charged with finding our cabanas that had been booked prior to our arrival. After the 4 and a half hour bus ride, we were excited to see the place and to unload our belongings. We brought a ton of stuff as we were warned that it was ... read more
April 11th 2012
Here we are all back together in San Pedro de Atacama after some delays and abandoning Allan and Tony in Arica. We had a great couple of days in Arequipa, spending our last night with Linton and Heather at a roof top Resturant above the plaza. Both Linton and Rosco making short work of a guinea pig ...... We farewelled Linton and Heather as we departed the hotel enroute to Arica in Chile. This is a big day with a major border crossing on the last day of the Easter holiday, so we knew it was going to be busy. The cars were all going great, as we dropped down towards sea level for the first time since leaving Copiapo a few weeks ago. Somewhere in the wide desert expanse, we found ourselves alone - everyone ... read more
Bahia Inglesa - a day by the sea with some fellow bikers.
Published: March 12th 2012South America » Chile » Atacama » Caldera
March 11th 2012
After my little adventure into the Atacama I gave myself a good talking to. I had originally planned to ride up to Antofagasta and from there onto San Pedro de Atacama. San Pedro de Atacame is the tourist place to visit so I had set my heart on getting there. Although a coastal town Antofagasta is the capital of Atacama and would make a good stop off on the way to San Pedro de Atacama. The problem was two fold. Firstly the distance. Each leg would be about half as far as I had ridden the previous day and that had taken me the best part of 6 hours. I could not count on there being enoough fuel stops and although I could perhaps buy a can, carrying it, with all my luggage would be tricky. ... read more
Tongoy to Copiapo -The big macho biker as gone all soft
Published: March 10th 2012South America » Chile » Atacama » Copiapó
March 10th 2012
When I told my family friends and loved ones I was going to keep a blog I hadn'y realised how much of an obligation it is. So I apologise if you are sat at home worrying why you've not heard from me. I hope you don't fear the worst. It is just I have been too tired at the end of the day to write. So in future panic not! I am OK just tired, lazy or drunk or a combination of all three ! I forget to mention why the last entry was entitled 4 socks. Some of you may know the trip organisers advised to take 4 socks - not 4 pairs of socks, just 4 socks. The trip out was a struggle, not least across London and at CDG airport becuase of all ... read more
Capiapo to Laguna Verde & back - Fat bikers bounce better
Published: March 11th 2012South America » Chile » Atacama » Copiapó
March 10th 2012
Friday 9 March I was a little apprenhensive about today as this would be my first ride out into the desert alone. It was what I had come for and I had picked what I thought was a safe route that took me high up into the mountains up to the Argentine border. I was apprensive because of the distance and I had discovered in the few days I had been o n the F800GS it had no where near the range of my R1200GS, especially loaded up. It was touch and go to get between fuel stations on Ruta 5. On the c-31, a minor semi-paved road I could not expect to find any. I got the map out and the guide book and estimated the journey to Laguna Verde would be about 250 kms ... read more
March 8th 2012
I have finally found somewhere that has the internet! The trip over was a nightmare. I have forgotten how boring and tiring flying was. The taxi collected me at 9.30 am on Monday 5 March and the trip to London City Airport was not the easiest. The cirle line to monument and the DLR to the airport. In theory easy but with all my luggage and no escalators it was a nightmare. The flight was due to leave about 3.30 ish (I forget as I write now exactly when) but was delaid about an hour due to strong wind! Yeek! It was only a small plane for the hop to Paris too! In fact it was not to bad. In better weather you would get good views of the O2 areana as you take off. The ... read more
Confronting my fears (well at least one of them!)
Published: March 16th 2012South America » Chile » Atacama
March 2nd 2012
San Pedro Atacama in the Atacama desert. I visited the valley of death, valley of the moon, and decided to confront my fear of horse riding. There is no better place to do this than the desert with a back drop of volcanoes. There are many active volcanoes in the area. No text needed the photos show the amazing beauty.... read more
March 1st 2012
Now here comes a moan. Chilean food!! Or rather what is available in the restuarants. I knew it would be difficult for a veggie as it's meat, meat,meat. But didn't expect it to be mainly greasy junk food. At the beginning of this trip I had thought that I may have to switch to a carne diet but seeing the plates on offer was not remotely able to. I had the occassional great meal even one with tofu in Vacuna. But by the time I reach La serena I was very hungry and feeling quite peeved with the situation. SALVATION!! Govindas a Hare Krisha place to eat, two meals later and a very good market (thanks Phil for finding that) I was tickety boo again. Chilean cheese is excellent when bought from a market and the ... read more
