En Route to Easter Island, Tuesday 3rd March

Ay up, chucks,
Seems like a long time since we caught up.......so where we? Ah yes, crossing the Andes. The view was quite spectacular and as Santiago is in a valley, we had stunning views coming in to land. Here is one.......





Santiago was quite disappointing. We had a day to ourselves but discovered that excitement and travel had caught up with us so we gave in to lounging about by the (tiny) pool.

Next day we set off for a city tour, the highlight of which was really the political background – Chile had a military government until fairly recently. Our guide was quite informative and said that while in Argentina we shouldn’t mention the Malvinas (we did, but I think we got away with it :-)), in Chile we shouldn’t talk politics. Senor Pinochet, of immortal memory, might be listening in....

The day after that was much more interesting – I had always wanted to go to Valparaiso and boy, I was not disappointed. It was the main port for Chile until the capital was moved to Santiago and it is a very shabby, down at heel old lady (yes, I know, I can hear you – a bit like me!!) but there was a surprise round every corner. The houses are all painted in different, vibrant colours and it is built on a hill on a large bay.




We boarded the ship and the highlight of the trip so far was the view over a darkened Valparaiso. I am really disappointed we stayed in Santiago rather than go there.

So now we are aboard....after taking full advantage of the (free?) drinky poos, we go to bed tired but happy. During the night, a distinctly uncomfortable feeling nudges my fuzzy brain. What’s this? Some sort of funfair ride? Oh no, chums........the Pacific had decided to do an Atlantic and while not up to the QM’s 100ft waves, it was trying its best. All I can say is that the next day or so has been spent trying to keep my eyes on the horizon, drinking ginger ale. I had to get some seasickness pills. Horrible.

But today is sunny with only a slight side-to-side swell so that’s better. Other slight problem is that we expected sub-tropical temperatures and packed accordingly. Guess what? I have 1 pair of jeans and 1 cardigan – yesterday was 16 degrees, today about 20. I have cranked the heating up, much to the scorn of ‘im indoors.

Yesterday, we stopped at Robinson Crusoe island and despite my debilitated state, I struggled up, ready to go out and face the pirates. However, the weather was so bad they wouldn’t let us go ashore so the pirates came to us. (Thinks – if it’s too dangerous for us, how can they do it? Ah yes, the yankee dollar) Cynical? Moi?

We went to a very interesting talk today – Jean-Michel Cousteau on the effects of devastation on the Pacific islands by global pollution – on one beach they found debris from 52 different countries and seabirds dead from eating fishing nets, bottle caps etc. Heartbreaking......

Well, that’s it for now, mes braves. Trivia @ 4:30 – we have been head-hunted for a team we were sitting next to yesterday. They begged Mike to join but you all know who has the brains in this outfit :-) Hasta luego......