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Published: September 6th 2008
We left Mendoza on Labor Day and traveled over the Andes by bus. Our double-decker bus was scheduled to leave at 9 a.m. and by 9:45 we were on our way with Steve and me sitting side by side in the very front seats. We had already seen part of the Argentine Andes when we first arrived, but when we neared the Chilean border we were able to catch a glimpse of Aconcagua, the highest peak in the western hemisphere at 22,841 feet. Los Libertadores Pass where we crossed into Chile is a mere 11,483 feet above sea level.
When we arrived at the border everyone had to leave the bus and walk into huge building with other busses and cars parked in a center bay. We went to the left where we stood first in one line to get our passports stamped by one set of officials and then in another where our passports were again checked and stamped by police. From there we boarded the bus again, but only long enough to retrieve our carry-on items. From there we went to the right section of the same building and waited in another line to have our carry-on bags
searched. While we waited, we watched the checked baggage moving along a conveyer and through x-ray machines. Some went through and were loaded back onto a cart to be returned to the bus, others were checked by hand. Both of ours were selected to be opened, but the people working there were very polite and considerate as they asked us about the contents.
Back on the bus, it wasn’t long before we began the steep descent down the western face of the mountains. The bus weaved its way down the many switchbacks and through tunnels and shelters that protect the road from avalanches. After the bus driver passed a truck inside one of the snow shelters, we soon saw a pickup truck with flashing red lights cut in front of the bus. We were being stopped by the Chilean Police. We had our front row seats to observe the driver come around in front of the bus and begin talking with two police officers. The whole incident was over quickly and ended with a handshake.
On we went zigzagging through amazing craggy hillsides and beneath deep snow slides, the traffic busy in both directions and consisting mostly of
semi trucks and busses. One incredibly long ski lift crossed the road in several places carrying a few skiers who were not yet ready to end the season. Once we left the switchbacks the terrain began to change, and the vegetation increased from almost nothing to tall cactus, brush and large patches of California poppies.
Soon we were looking at large vineyards, orchards, and occasional hills scarred by copper strip-mines. The lush pastures held horses, cows, sheep, goats, and chickens. Houses varied from small and dilapidated to large modern homes. We passed smelters, power plants, and sawmills.
It was late afternoon when we arrived in Viña del Mar, but we saw little of the city. In less than fifteen minutes we were on a small local bus headed for a long awaited break from city life at the little fishing village of Horcon, sometimes called Horcones by the locals, but that is another story.
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Fran Miller
non-member comment
Enjoying your pictures
What a great opportunity this has been for you 2. Better than any guides tour, for sure. You have been blessed to be able to touch so many people's lives including me. Enjoy the remainder of your time down there. You both are missed. Love, Fran