Dazed and confused after a delayed flight from Auckland to Santiago I battled to navigate my way into the city to Che Largarta (I think?) my prebooked hostel in central Santiago. My nerves were in full force and the warnings of the dangers of South America ringing strong in the front on my mind. The biggest fears on these first few days were travelling between airports and hostels. Trying not to get ripped off or kidnapped. In reality the warnings have been too harsh.
After two almost sleepless nights in the noisey hostel (with excellent staff, spacious breakfast and wifi included), a trip up San Critobel hill and a lot of interesting shopping experiences (buying a power adaptor where they only spoke Spanish and invovled going to three different counters, one to find what I needed,one to pay and one to pick up the product - crazy!) with my non exisitant Spanish I made tracks for the airport again. Destination Lima. Countdown to Spikes arrival is on.
Fantastic hotel pre arranged for me by Spike with all the mod-cons. I battled with finding a power adaptor in the new Real Plaza (mall) for a 4:30pm Skype catch up with Spike on my second day in Lima, which I need not have done, as it turns out there was a knock at my door and the best surprise ever jumped out from around the corner.
Two days later we headed out of the unpopular city and down the coast on a bus to Ica. Lonely Planet had actually been a blessing here, leading me to find the magical oasis of Huachchina. Awseome doesn't even describe this place. Not even close. It is a real oasis, surrounded by sand dunes on all sides.
We have just been taking it easy and enjoyed a few cervesa's in the afternoon sun yesturday and are heading for dune buggy and sand boarding this afternoon (the orginal appeal of the location). Huachchina is definatly on the tourist trail and riddled with gringos, but for very very good reason. I love it here. Relaxed, warm and easy lifestyle. Yummy food too.
After two almost sleepless nights in the noisey hostel (with excellent staff, spacious breakfast and wifi included), a trip up San Critobel hill and a lot of interesting shopping experiences (buying a power adaptor where they only spoke Spanish and invovled going to three different counters, one to find what I needed,one to pay and one to pick up the product - crazy!) with my non exisitant Spanish I made tracks for the airport again. Destination Lima. Countdown to Spikes arrival is on.
Fantastic hotel pre arranged for me by Spike with all the mod-cons. I battled with finding a power adaptor in the new Real Plaza (mall) for a 4:30pm Skype catch up with Spike on my second day in Lima, which I need not have done, as it turns out there was a knock at my door and the best surprise ever jumped out from around the corner.
Two days later we headed out of the unpopular city and down the coast on a bus to Ica. Lonely Planet had actually been a blessing here, leading me to find the magical oasis of Huachchina. Awseome doesn't even describe this place. Not even close. It is a real oasis, surrounded by sand dunes on all sides.
We have just been taking it easy and enjoyed a few cervesa's in the afternoon sun yesturday and are heading for dune buggy and sand boarding this afternoon (the orginal appeal of the location). Huachchina is definatly on the tourist trail and riddled with gringos, but for very very good reason. I love it here. Relaxed, warm and easy lifestyle. Yummy food too.
Photo: Huachchina
No comments:
Post a Comment