Chile Still

Well Mike ,how correct you can be. The bike did get shipped north and will now not be here till the 6 October. I need to know your source and how much it cost you.Seems it has been placed on another ship in Puson to come to Valpariso and our shipping agent in NZ was not informed. Lucky the hostel we are staying in helps bikers with customs and importation of bikes so they know what is happening and have kept us informed.
So for the next two weeks we will be bus passengers and head over the Andes to Argentina and take in some of the places north east on Argentina's East coast and that way we can stay riding close to the Andes on our way back up Argentina. Now on South American time.

Last Day in Santiago

Today is our last day in Santiago before we move onto the port city of Valparaiso and meeting of the clan. Santiago has been a city of contrasts, from the wealthy to the poor. A modern city yet an old city. A metro system to rival anything in the world. Wide tree lined avenues and shady plazas. Statues to their heroes galore, yet packs of dogs roaming free everywhere. When asked it is to keep the cats and rats away.
This weekend has been Chile's National Day of Independence and what a weekend it has been. I have never seen so many drunken people  in public before and all that goes with drunkeness. Yet the whole place has been kept clean and tidy after each night as with no welfare there is always a job for someone, no matter how menial. From street cleaners to parking attendents on every street. A police presence everywhere.

Santiago Arrival

After an eleven and a half hour flight we arrived just after midday to an easy entry into Chile. Xray the bags and a quick sniff by the dogs and we were in. No body xray and welcome for ninety days. Watch out for the hawkers and con  artists and its into the Belavista district in the middle of the city. Nice friendly hostal and comfie bed. Santiago is a huge city,covered in smog with a tourist industry early in its growth cycle. The buildings are very old with so much history about them. Colourful on the outside but imacculate on the inside. Very friendly people who love to be dressed with the very best. There are a lot of Chinese bikes here but also lots of very up to date cars.

Tomorrow we will spread our wings a bit and see what we can find. With National Day about to happen things will move up a notch or two on the party front with the locals, interesting