Blogs from Iquique, Tarapacá, Chile, South America - page 3

I'd been recommended to go to an agency called "space xx.." whilst in san pedro; the minibus came at 9pm, with 30 of us waiting, and drove at breakneck speed into the salar, about 15 minutes away. We were greeted by a frenchman under a very dull red light, and shown inside. I say shown, but it was even darker in there, with just a candle to illuminate our seats, arranged in a double ring under a wicker roof, with a 2m wide hole in it. The french fella then proceeded to charm everyone in the room for about half an hour. When we stepped outside he said it was possible to see 3000 stars and I could quite easily believe him! I don't remember ever seeing so many stars. He showed us 4 galaxies and ... read more

Well well well what a day!!!! All started well at 5.30am when i got ready to leave Arequipa....Enrico drove me to the bus station to take my Cruz del Sur bus to Tacna.... The departure lounge was like a swish airline lounge.....apparently I was on the best bus line in Peru. Of we went and soon we were in this incredible desert landscape....the northern Atacama ( see images ) absolutely amazing. There were also two movies during the trip both excellent although in spanish....the first was with Morgan freeman and Jack Nicholson about life before death.....and the second was a terrorist thriller called Eagle Eye. The bus was scheduled to arrive in Tacna Peru at 12.30 but half way into the trip we were stopped had to all dissembark whilst all siutcases were searched..what a total ... read more

Days 1 to 9 - Santiago, Valparaiso, Vina Del Mar, La Serena, Pisco Elqui/Vicuna, Iquique Executive Summary (for VP's/Senior Managers and above) Status: Alive Current location: Iquique, Chile Notable incidents: Interesting re-immersion into backpacking life on first day in Santiago; best street name in the world (so far); foiled pickpocket attempt; breakdancing in the streets of Valparaiso, paying for two hostels in one night in different towns. Facial hair status: 3mm and itchy Detailed report (for all others) Santiago So, last time you heard from me, I’d just arrived at my hostel in Santiago and it was 8am. Well, to say that Hostel Don Santiago has an inconspicuous front would be an understatement - the only reason I figured I was in the right place was because I knew the address of the place (95 ... read more

Iquique hadn't featured on my original plan and I'd rather ended up here by accident. Or you might call it a lack of planning ;0) Basically I hadn't booked the bus from San Pedro to Salta in Argentina in time (even though I knew it only went 3 times a week, derrr), didn't want to wait a few days for the next one and decided a loop around Bolivia instead sounded like a much better idea. Look at a map of the region or try the buses in Bolivia and you might challenge the wisdom of that one! In the end it turned out to be a great decision..... except of course it wasn't quite so straight forward. The easiest way into Bolivia is a 3day Salar de Uyuni tour from San Pedro itself. But it ... read more

After G reminded me that I was on the road to self destruction, I decided I was safer at sea level, by the beach. On the bus to Iquique, Chile, I sat next to a peruvian who was obsessed with all things Japanese. He was very goodlooking, which made trying to understand him easier. I took the overnight bus from Arequipa to Tucna (Peru), and then a collectivo (taxi) to Arica (Chile). Without warning, as soon as we crossed the border into Chile, the scenary changed. It was strictly desert. And by desert I mean I didn't see so much as a shrub or tree for 3 hours. I have never seen anything like it. Iquique is cute. It is basically the desert that drops into the ocean. There are loads of palm trees and hibiscus. ... read more