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Published: January 9th 2010
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Booya!
Celebrating the last sunset on the beach. As many of you know I was planning a trip to Iquique from Oruro to celebrate the new year. What began as a 4 day trip by myself, became a week long trip surrounded by great friends. My co-worker and I left Oruro on the 27th on a 10 hour bus direct to Iquique. Since we became so used to buying snacks once on the bus, we made the naive mistake of not bringing any with us. BAD IDEA! Nothing to buy on the bus, at the border or anywhere along the 10 hour trip. Furthermore, we were delayed 3 hours at the border and arrived in Iquique at 1am. Needless to say not much open.
Luckily, we checked into our hostel (note: after calling and e-mailing a number of times, only my reservation made via hihostels.com was found in the system, so book ahead online!). To say it was paradise is an understatement: free pool table, ping-pong, 2 balconies, wifi and a computer and stuff for the beach. Moreover, home to Chile's best surfing instructor! Who also checked us in at 1am and called his buddies at a nearby resto to stay open and make us amazing steak sandwiches!
Surf's up!
Me and Lalo the surf master ;) The next day we started our surf lessons: 3 steps is all you need according to Lalo. Truth is as long as you don't over think it, it's a piece of cake. Problem is, when you catch a wave it's hard to get out of your head! We had a blast and managed quite well. 3 surf lessons later, still just managing to stand up. The waves are quite intense there, our last lesson he told us to wait on the beach and come one at a time not to get over tired from fighting the waves!
Our second night we went to a cute resto on the beach, but trying to save money we wanted to walk back. Our waiter tried to convince us to take a cab, but we insisted. Turns out the owner overheard and since he was heading our way gave us a lift home. Welcome to Chilean hospitality!
New year's was awesome too: asado (bbq) at the hostal with my new friends, then fireworks on the beach followed by a wicked club party. Unfortunately, not everyone pumps out 100 watts as we say in french and a nice girl decided to get
Tonight's gonna be a good night!
Partying it up to kick off 2010. drunk in her stilettos on the beach. Therefore, when she stumbled she stepped directly on my appropriately attired flip-flopped foot. Who wears heels on the beach?
Otherwise, plenty of sun (too much in fact!) and relaxing to be had all week. Finding a bus home was tricky, they book up fast and don't necessarily come/leave at the times they claim. Also, bus home cost twice as much as to get there! Other highlights were a sunset picnic with cheap cases of corona and fresh pisco limes and sushi on the roof of the Sunfish hotel.
All in all, an amazing trip. I was so lucky to be in the right place at the right time! Thanks to everyone for the birthday and christmas money that made it possible! Might not have been wrapped with a bow under the tree, but it was the best gift ever :D
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