So, here we are , back in the Happy House Hostel again. And we are happy. A great time on Easter Island, an event free flight 'home' and our third 'drink on the house' in the bar downstairs. For the next few weeks we're not flying anywhere. It's going to be buses all the way. Over the hills [Andes] and far away into Argentina. What could possibly go wrong?!

This should be written on the 10th but it's getting rather late. We flew back from Easter Island today, 10th November, and are now back in Santiago. On our first day on the island we climbed the volcano called Rano Kau. The crater is about 200m deep and 1600m across. Nearby is a village of 54 small stone houses used from the 16th century for ceremonial purposes. We wondered if Mr Peter Jackson had seen them as we were reminded of Hobbiton when first setting eyes...

We arrived in Santiago on 30th October. Staying in the Happy House Hostel - a converted mansion about 15 mins walk from the centre. The inforced break in proceedings, Lan airline took us off our Easter Island flight without telling us, has been good. Richard has been trying to shake off a cold he picked up in NZ and various tickets have had to be organised. We're now expecting to fly to Easter Island on 7th November :/ Santiago is in the summer season now and...