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Published: June 14th 2009
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Our bus journey from Santiago to La Serena was pretty much the same as usual except for the fact that I got to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time EVER!!!! Unfortunately it looks no different to the Atlantic but.........
Well I last left you complaining of my rash but hoping it was on the mend. Unfortunately when we got to La Serena and after a sleepless night I had to resign myself to the fact that I was going to have to get some medical attention.
Thursday morning we woke up and I went to talk to the hostel reception and asked where the local tourist information was, thinking they would point me in the direction of an English speaking doctor, however the receptionist wanted to know why and I told her I needed to see a doctor and why. At this point the receptionist bless her went into organisation mode and told me should would make some phonecalls and let me know. So we headed down to breakfast where she came and found us. She said that she was able to make an appointment for me to see a Dermatologist however she needed my personal details.
I duly handed these over....
Anyway I eventually ended up with an appointment just after midday and with directions in hand Sharon and I wandered into town so that I could get some cash out to pay for my treatment and we have a wander around La Serena old town before the appointment. The buildings in the old town are very pretty unfortunately they seem to be in the process of digging up every pavement and square which detracted from its beauty.
We headed to the doctors/hospital and after going to every floor I had eventually paid and was waiting for my appointment. I have to confess that my Spanish understanding is improving however the next phrase I have to commit to memory is asking people to speak slowly!! Anyway the long and short of the story is that I am now £82 poorer although for that price I got to see a Dermatologist (who spoke brilliant English), an injection in the bum, tablets and some cream!! He thinks that I have been "exposed" to something that has caused the allergy but wasn't too concerned!!!! All is fine now though and hopefully I am over the worst.
As I had had an injection and with my history of allergies to injections Sharon and I went and sat in the shopping mall next door to the surgery and had some lunch just in case I had a reaction especially as we didn't even know what was in the injection. Anyway after 40 minutes I was able to convince Sharon I was fin so we walked back towards town via a pretty Japanese garden (this wins hands down for prettiest park/garden so far on this trip).
The hostel receptionist had also told us that we should visit the towns archaeological museum so we found it. Whilst on the whole the museum was ok it was well worth visiting just to see the Maoi that they have on display (it has been brought over from Easter Island). Unfortunately due to time, cost and round the world flight constraints I was unable to include Easter Island in this trip which is a disappointment to me although gives me added inspiration to visit this part of the world in the future as it is definitely somewhere that I want to see along with the Cook islands!!
The main purpose for
our visit to La Serena was to go to a astronomical observatory. So we booked our selves on a tour around the Mamalluca observatory near Vicuna. It ended up that we were on the tour with two lads from Wales, James and Rhys who were staying in our hostel, another lad Rob, from Norwich, and a spanish speaking family. The driver stopped off in Vicuna for 20 minutes so we all stood speaking in the street and doing the usual exchange of stories. The driver then returned and unfortunately he spoke no English so said he was going to speak to us slowly in Spanish. Anyway Sharon and I understood what he was trying to tell us so translated our understanding to the guys basically that the gy was going to drop us off and drive away but not to worry he would pick us back up and he knew our names and also he would return with some pisco sour. We all then got back in the car and were taken to the observatory.
I have to say that the tour was more than worthwhile and it was really interesting. When we pulled up at the observatory and
looked up into the sky I got the clearest view of the sky I have ever seen and it was an amazing sight. On the tour amongst other things we got to see Saturn, including the rings!, the milky way, a dying star and a star to be. We were also taken outside to see the constellations however unfortunately my usual ability to spot Orion and the Plough went out the window since we are in the Southern Hemisphere. We were told that Chile is on of the best destinations to observe the stars as it has the best and most constant weather. At the Mamalluca observatory they estimated that they only have 23 days in the year where they can't do any stargazing! Also in the local town they have changed all the street lights so as to prevent too much light pollution. Our driver was duly waiting for us when we had finished the tour and he handed out the pisco sour (a special Chilean liquor) however on this occasion I passed on the drink as I didn't want to add alcohol to the cocktail of things in my body.
In all that recounts our trip to
La Serena and next stop is Valparisio before heading back into Argentina....
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rachelpars
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Sounds fantastic (except for the injection - and you passing on the alcohol!!! :)