April 22 – 24 Day 1 They say that one should avoid alcohol in the high altitude. I am sure they have good reasons to say so. Thanks to a lama/guanaco/wine dinner with Pete on the night prior to my departure, I am nursing a spectacular hangover on the way to Bolivian border. Light-headed already … More 94 – Crossing to Uyuni
Chile – conclusion Minuses It’s not a cheap destination. Almost as expensive as Europe. Do not talk politics, unless the Chileans start about it, and even then, tact and common sense applies. After the military coup the country was split in two, while one part of the population feared persecution and disappearance, the other celebrated … More 93 – Chile (Conclusion)
April 14 – 21 Overnight bus to San Pedro de Atacama. The driest desert on Earth. The Atacama plateau is a huge triangle closed off by three mountain ranges, which block most of the rain clouds on the Bolivian side and prevent any river from leaving the plateau. Meaning all water circulation is owed exclusively … More 91 – San Pedro de Atacama (Chapter 1)
April 9 – 13 Afternoon bus from La Serena to Caldera, where I arrive amid a breathtaking sunset. Everything is covered in pink haze. Caldera is a small mining town and port, home to Chile’s first railway and laic cemetery (because the miners had many religions and the Catholics would not accommodate infidel corpses on … More 90 – Chile off-the-beaten-path (Chapter 2)
March 28 – 31 I arrived to Chile without any plan whatsoever. When I asked Maribel what was nice between Valparaiso and San Pedro de Atacama, pointing out that I had all the time in the world, she suggested a few places. Which is how I ended up in La Serena. I have a lovely … More 89 – Chile off-the-beaten-path (Chapter 1)
March 18 – 21 Arrival to Santiago lateish in the evening, but hassle-free as I am flying domestic. I decided to continue to stay in airbnbs, as (I know I will sound snob and unpleasant) by now I really cannot stand backpacker hostels where everyone is 10 years younger, on a gap year (most likely … More 88 – ¿Cachai?
March 13 Night flight to Hanga Roa / Easter Island. LATAM and their film selection rocks. I managed to see all the latest Oscar films and satisfy my cultural craving. Arrival to the island is very relaxed. Rapa Nui is served by a daily internal flight from Santiago and weekly (and only) international flight from … More 87 – Rapa Nui
March 1 …or is it february 28? I leave Auckland on the afternoon of March 1st and arrive to Papeete on the evening of February 28th. Therefore, I time travel to paradise! Seems only appropriate. è ? – March 3 : Tahiti French Polynesia is no backpackers destination (although there are some stray ones), but a … More 86 – En Grève!!!
Minuses: none really. It’s expensive, from getting here to being here, but it’s also worth every penny. If renting a car or a camper van, be careful on the roads, they are narrow and winding, especially if you are not used to driving on the left side, and also take the long distances into the … More 85 – New Zealand (conclusion)
Feb 21 I finally make it to Invercargill, as the wind strength gets to a normal level. Normal for New Zealand, so the flight is still pretty bumpy. My host Trev is the nicest, most genuine guy I’ve yet met. We have another Kiwi style dinner, eating fish and chips in the car as he … More 84 – The South
Kacenka on the road 