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Hi Freinds and family - here is the next instalment,
We travelled from Argentina (Mendoza) to Chile (Santiago) by overnight coach and we were glad we did, as the views were fantastic. The higher we drove the more snow-capped mountains and stars we saw.
When we arrived at the checkpoint between the two countries (called the pass of La Cumbre) we were over 3,800 metres above sea level and freezing. The checkpoint was only a little shed in the middle of nowhere and they did not have central heating, the queue was also really long and we had to wait outside half asleep until we were ushered inside. Although this did give us some time to see Christ the Redeemer of the Andes which was built up on top of a mountain as a celebration of the peaceful resolution of the border dispute between the two countries. (no pictures sorry as we left the camera on the bus!).
After arriving in Santiago at 6.45 in the morning we had 1 hour 15 minutes to get across town to the pick up point to catch the bus up to the ski resort. This sounds easy, but for two tired nonspanish speaking english people trying to get through to a nonenglish speaking chilean taxi driver, it was near enough impossible, plus all the cash points in the bus terminal rejected our cash cards! After walking miles to find another cash point then 10 minutes of Verity acting out skiing movements to the taxi driver he finally realised where we wanted to go. We made it with time to spare in the end.
The ski hire place in santiago only hired their equipment for 5 days minimum and we only needed it for 3 days so we took the gamble and said we would hire it at the resort (they had told us that the hotel may not have anything as it is near the end of the season!?!)After an hour and half drive we arrived at the hotel and it was fantiastic. We were nestled between three mountains with panoramic views of snowcapped mountains all around. It was right next to two other hotels which we had full use of (outdoor hot tub in one) and only 2 minutes walk from the slopes!! Not far to walk with those big boots on! As it was all inclusive we did not have to worry about food either.Luckily the room was made up and we could get straight in as we were knackered.Next day we rented the equipment (which was cheaper than the ski hire shop in santiago - so the gamble paid off). The only problem was that they gave us the same coats and salopets (trousers) so we looked like we had got "his and hers" clothes for the slopes! Amazingly verity had also been given boots which had her initials on the back! The omens looked good - as I must admit I was slightly worried about verity propelling herself down a mountin on skis - especially after her episode on the bike!
There wasn't many people skiing so there were no queues for the lifts and the snow was good considering it was the last days of the season. We started on a green run (starter) which verity mastered very quickly and moved onto a blue (intermediate) which was harder, but she completed again without falling over. After completing most of the greens and a few blues it was time to call it a day as our legs were aching (the "burn on") and the apres ski had started. Everyone we saw at apres ski had unbelievably bad goggle marks - to the extent where the bottom half of their faces were 3/4 shades darker than the top - this was apparently a prestigous sign with the skiing fraternity, but something we didn't want! We didn't even rent goggles as a result, just used our sun glasses.
Second day we ventured onto harder blue slopes and in doing so we encountered the dreaded "tow bar". For those of you that do not know this is a mushroom shaped seat on the end of a pole which is attached to cables that travel up the mountain - the idea is to put the seat between your legs sit down quickly grab onto the pole and allow it to pull you up the mountain. Verity went on it first - everything was going well until the cable picked up the slack of the pole/seat and yanked verity forward at quite a speed - down she went into a ball of ski's, poles and blonde hair!
The next day we were pretty tired and our legs were really aching. We went down a few easy run to loosen us up and Verity stacked it a couple of times which was nothing to do with her - she said - but was due to the ice on the slopes. We decided to stay on the easier slopes and have fun going really fast, as we knew these runs quite well now. This was great fun and we grabbed the attention of the resort photograpaher. Verity saw him come past and start snapping so was under prssure not to fall over. He then caught me coming down a near vertical slope looking very cool, so that was good. We later went into the shop to see if they were any good and were surprised to see we looked like pros.
We didn't stay out too long that day as we were tired and also hung over from the night before. We had stayed up late drinking a few bottles of wine plus had checked out our hotel bar for a night cap, as usual the measure were ridiculous so more like drinking a glass of vodka with a splash of Coke. We were literally the only ones in the bar too and subsquently the DJ was playing techno music to suit himself. We did have a little dance or tried to, played pool with only half a rack of balls as the others had gone missing, then went to bed. Little did we know they'd given us the most expensive vodka in the world and so when we settled up the bill the next day realised the drinks had costed nearly 9 pounds each, extortionate!!
Our last run of the day took us to the bottom of the slopes so we had to catch the 2 man seat lift up to the resort. Verity had got quite good at getting off these lifts but this time she didn't push off when she got to the top as she was too busy chatting about how well we had done and the lift came round and took me and her out. I was holding onto the seat, being dragged around on the floor, so it didn't swing round and take Verity's head off but it did knock us both over. Quite funny, as we weren't hurt - and it was right infront of the restaurant bar so everyone could see!. Bit annoyed though as a guy was sitting at the top next to the emergency stop button in case this very thing happened , but just stood and watched!!
We took our hire equipment back and it was nice to be able to put normal shoes on again. We had the apres ski and played cards on the terrace over looking the slopes. Althoughsnow was all around, it was really sunny so we soaked up some sun. We went to our favourite restaurant that night then packed our bags ready to leave the following day. We weren't getting collected until late afternoon the following day. So we had breakfast and chilled out around the resort.
The bus came around 5pm and took us back to Santiago. We arrived back and jumped on the tube which took us to a stop just by the hostel we had booked. We arrived at the hostel about 7.30pm and as we walked in were told it was BBQ night. We dumped our bags in the room, which was lovely and had ensuite and sky TV (only 28 pounds a night for both of us!), then went down to look around the hostel. It was really comfortable more like a home then a hostel. The owner was there setting up for the BBQ and said to help ourselves to wine etc, gradually more and more people turned up and even a salsa class took place in the front room. Great atmosphere and we got chatting to lots of people from all ove the world. The locals went off to a club at around midnight but we stayed in with a few other people drinking some of the local wine (only 1 pound 50 for a bottle of good wine).
The next day we met up with one of the english girls from the hostel and went to Cerro San Cristobal where there is a statue of the virgin mary. To get there we needed to go on what looked like one of the oldest looking cable cars I have ever seen - it only just fit the three of us in and creaked and wobbled so much I did not think we were going to make it. After arriving at the top of the hill (880metres above sea level) we walked a little and came to the statue - the view was fantastic as it was the second highest point in santiago, which is located in a broad valley - so we could see for ever.
That night we ventured into a place called bella vista where there were loads of bars and went on a bar crawl - it was unbelievably cheap and the doubles were more like quadrouples!. Arriving back at the hostel pretty drunk we thought it would be a good idea to make some toast, but instead of a toaster they had a griddle type thing. After nearly burning the hostel down we thought it would be best to go to bed!
Whilst talking to people in the hostel we found out there were a couple of towns nearby that were really nice so we decided to go and see what they were like. We checked out of the hostel and got the underground to the nearest town - Valparaiso.This town is an old industrial port, which still has that feel, dirt and smell to it! The hostel we had booked looked like a walk in centre for waifs and strays from the outside, but was quite homely inside. We decided to have a look around the town in the afternoon, but it was quite a grey dreary place so we just got a takeaway pizza and headed back to the safety of the hostel. (it had bars on the windows!) Luckily as we got to the lounge, two dutch people Marianna and Rudolf (but you can call me rudy!) were putting on a film "city of god" so we watched that, chatted with them and went to bed.
Next day we got the underground to Vina del Mar (vine of the sea) which was a lovely beach resort with a casino - which made verity happy!! (I think she definitely has a problem), and decided this would be our next stop. We walked into a few hotels over looking the sea and booked in for the following night. That night back in valparaiso the hostel owner and his friend asked if we wanted to join him, his mate, Marianna and Rudy for a few drinks in the town so we thought why not as it was our last night there. We should have remembered that chileans don't go out until about 1130 so we did not get back until 3.30!! It was a great night as they took us to some good authentic chilean bars with live music and belly dancers - and we tried a chilean drink which contained wine, spirits and Ice cream!
We left valparaiso the next day and headed for the lovely, cheap hotel near the beach in Vina del Mar. We visited the casino a few times while we were there and on the last time we went in the security guard asked us for our entrance ticket. We played dumb and pretended not to know what the other was talking about, he eventually gave up and just ushered us in. We had been there 4 times and each time we had got in there free (should have been 7 dollars each time - a saving of 56 dollars!). The weather wasn't brilliant while we were there so we didn't get a chance to sit on the beach but did have a good look round and ate at some nice restaurants in the evening.
After a few days we had to head back to Santiago as our flight was leaving soon.We decided to stay at the same hostel in santiago (Aji Hostel) for the last night in chile as it was quiet and relaxing the first time, but this was not the case second time around! There were 15 brazilian people staying there who had a party in the hostel til 3 in the morning! They ran around the hostel chanting which was great as we had a 13 hour flight to new zealand the next day!
The 13 hour flight to New Zealand was very uncomfortable especially when you have someones feet and legs led across you who is snoring and blowing bubbles in your ear!
See you next time, missing you all still
Verity and Andy. xxx
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