Great get away and at the border by 9am Peru time 11am Chile time. The paperwork was all done and dusted in 90 minutes, thanks to very helpful border guards. The young lady (who was drop dead) filled in the forms for me and escorted me to the relevant people on the Peru side. I had the similar good fortune in Chile, but this time a handsome chap, who told me he rides a Triumph Tiger. Everything was done efficiently, but I still had numerous people to see and forms to fill in.
Chile began ominously as they were road building and the first few miles was a sand road
This photo makes it look better than it was
The landscape was similar to Peru but not quite so attractive or majestic. The wind was blowing hard again, putting a tremendous strain on my neck muscles. It was a good road for most of the way, where the traffic was stopped for 1/2 hour as there was a a one way alternating system in place. I was lucky and only had to wait 5 minutes.
Typical landscape in this very dry region
My version of a selfie
I was conscious that since crossing the border I hadn't been able to withdraw any Chilean pesos. But I reasoned I'd get to the hotel with the fuel I had and I could sort out money then. What I hadn't banked on was a motorway toll. I pulled up towards the side of the road and walked over to the offices and as I did so two more bicycles pulled up behind me (They were Brazilian and also had no Chilean money). With some haggling and form filling we managed to get through without paying (the toll was about 50p). As we got on our bikes another Brazilian bike pulled up with the same issue. They must have loved us foreigners.With a 20 minute ride to the hotel, I was ensconced in my rather posh hotel on the Pacific coast watching City against Barcelona.
So as per usual another lovely day with only a small event to deal with!
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