Santiago

Monday 16th

Our last morning packing up tents. Hooray! Actually, I had a lovely night's sleep as we could camp on soft grass.

We were an hour late leaving, may be because it was our last day, but we were travelling on the main motorway in Chile. We lost a bit more time as Ali and Linda left us at a petrol station whilst they went back to the nearest town to find an internet. They didn't have the necessary paperwork to take the truck back into Argentina!

When we arrived at the vineyard it was lunchtime, and the winemaker was just going to lunch. A beautiful place. Not quite sure if the Andes come out in this picture...

...here's an arty photo of a bunch of Chardonnay grapes...

It was worth waiting for the winemaker. I have done many wine tours around the world, so I think I well placed to rate this tour as a cut above the rest. Unusual to have the winemaker himself take us round. One of his main jobs is to blend wines for bottling. We first sampled white wines, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. Next, a blend of a grape called Carmenere, little known now in France but widely grown in this part of Chile. He had won an award for the blend. Then we went on to taste Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2000 Reserva, which was a blend of Cab Sauv, Carmenere and Merlot. Sam and Justin had been on a wine tasting course before their trip, so that encouraged us all to be Gilly Gouldons!

The rest of the drive to Santiago was taking up by packing our rucksacks, and starting on the white wines which had chilled by then. The drinking adjourned to our hotel rooms...

...before going out for our last supper at a swanky Santiago restaurant, albiet with a 1980s feel with rag rolled walls! This was the most expensive meal I have had since Shaunie treated me in Rio. I can't afford to stay in Chile much longer. Good one of Nikki here with a bottle in her mouth!

Ali and Linda joined us after we had finished. They had problems parking the truck. They had in tow, the driver and leader of another Exodus expedition going in the other direction to Rio for Carnival. Only one from that group joined us - Amanda. The others were in bed! Apparently that group had not been for a night out in 5 weeks and they were all in late teens or early twenties. What a bunch of Saffies! Carnival will be wasted on them!

Now that Ali and Linda had arrived I could say a few words of appreciation and hand them envelopes with money from us by way of appreciation. Panic! I couldn't find the envelopes! One of the waiters, who was American, came back to our table saying "I've searched the trash can"!. Phil then found them on his seat. No idea why.

The rest of the evening progressed downhill to a pick up joint for straights, with me being hassled by "ladies of the night". Some ended the night by watching sunrise from the roof of our hotel! I left early with some of the group. I guess Monday is not the night to go out in Santiago!

Tuesday 17th

The next day was a slow day, but successful shopping with Nikki - I bought some new reading glasses! Chile is expensive! Here we are eating lunch bought from a salad bar in a supermarket. Santiago could be in Europe. Great shopping with western standard merchanding and quality of service. Later I took the subway to the bus station to buy my ticket to Calamar, en route to San Pedro de Atacama. Subway very modern, with rubber wheels like some of the Paris Metro.

Dinner that night was in a Chinese restaurant where all the food tasted and looked the same! "Is this fish or chicken"?! Our waitress was South American, but dressed and made up to look Chinese!

Next day there were just four of us left. Here's Justin, Sam, Gill and me having a fish lunch in the least Gringo looking cafe in the old central market.

After that we took the funicular up a hill over looking the city. What a surprise to be in South America and find a statue of the Virgin Mary or Christ on a hill!

And then there were four...a view over smoggy Santiago...

Then it was time for a quick shower before catching my bus. I was in such a rush I flooded Sam and Justin's bathroom from the shower, and dropped my money belt down the loo!

Bye bye Sam, Justin, Gill, Nikki, Barbara, Stefan, Tariq, Phil and Marian. I enjoyed travelling with you! Thanks too to Ali and Linda for your hard work.

Love to all,

Chris x