Hola todos! First one for the Chile leg.
Having chilled in Mendoza for a bit after the vino tours it was soon time to head for Chile. It was an early start out of Mendoza leaving on an 8am bus for the border. We are out on time and it’s a pretty relaxed ride to the border, pro tip if you ever do this route sit on the right hand side as that gives the best views of the mountains. Speaking of the mountains there are lots of them and many of them covered in snow on the tops – a reminder that we need to be getting a shift on to getting to Patagonia before the snows come into the mountain passes.
After some nice mountain views we ascend up into the pass to Los Liberadores Border crossing. Border crossing was pretty easy going though Chile is very strict with bringing outside foods of certain types into the country which you have to fill out a SAG customs form and they scan your bags at the border crossings. Still it was pretty easy and the whole process took about 5 minutes and we were soon back on the bus and on our way.
Descending from the mountains into Chile the roads are pretty mental with lots of twists and turns and huge mountains. Yeah this would be impassable if it snowed.
Soon after that we drop down into the valley where Santiago de Chile sits. Overall this part of Chile is quite barren and arid. Soon we pull into Santiago and my first impression is the city looks Sovietic all the tower blocks everywhere and seems ugly from where the bus pulls us into.
Next is getting to the gaff which turns out to be q bit of a nightmare as Chile has a different currency and I didn’t get any in advance. In the bus station I have a nightmare trying to get cash out of the ATMs with 2 machine I use going out of order but thankfully they didn’t swallow my card – needed cash for thr Metro but as couldn’t get cash out I ended up booking an Uber instead. I have the Uber drop me off to a cash point near my gaff which thankfully works and I am soon checked in okay.
Next up is getting basics sorted. The place I’m in has a fridge so I decide to go and get some tinnies along with water and other basic supplies. This turns out to be a complete side quest in itself as in Santiago only 2 supermarket chains sell beer. Long story short I end up spending the next hour walking through about 10 mini markets and 3 supermercados looking for tins until I eventually message my friend Andy about that “Lider express is the one” and turns out there was one next to me 5 minutes away but I walked 40 in the opposite direction. Doh 🤦♂️.
Eventually we get there get some cans food and water sorted then go back to the gaff for some well earned rest. I then go back out later and have a look round but there doesn’t seem to be much in my area. Unfortunately not a great first impression.
Next installment we explore Santiago, fall out with friends and make a hasty escape to the coast!
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