Hey, thought I should update my blog since I am in a new Continent. Chile has been good and has grown on me as each day passes. One of the main reasons I have always been intrigued with Chile has been since I was 9 years old. In primary school I had a teacher called Mrs Storey who came from Chile & ever since then I have always wondered about this spectacular Country. It has not dissappointed!!

I will go back briefly to New Zealand & my final weeks there before explaining my journeys in Chile. In my last blog I mentioned I was in Picton, its a picturesque town that leads into Marlbrough on the way to Wellington. There was stunning views on the Ferry onwards to the North Island. While in picton I went on this mental walk where the ground was slippery, & having no tread on my shoes I fell multiple times - muddy is not the word!!! It is also where Ernest Rutherford is from who was the first person to split the atom - I am sure he had no clue what would of happened when he did so. But hey...its sweet as!!

I briefly stopped in Wellington & went onto Napier (Art Deco city). Never seen any high street like it - just imagine being back in the 30´s with all the buildings architected to Art Deco. I think it´s great, of course this all occurred because of an Earthquake which destroyed the city back in 1931 which is sad. While there I got on with Anna (a German girl with a Scottish accent & said Righte-o) & Tom (An Englishman who claims to be from Botswana with a South African accent). All good people & I went drinking out with them on 2 nights, I only found out after the days that they were celebrating each of their birthdays!

After Napier I went to Taupo for a couple of days, weather was not great so could not to the Tongariro crossing. To be honest I was a little relieved as the trek is quite long & tiring even though its one of the best in the world. I did though decide to walk to Huka falls which is a 12km round trip from taupo. When I got to my destination I realised I had already been there a month previous with Stray tours. Lets just say I was a tad annoyed with myself, but the exercise is always useful.

I went onwards to Tauranga which is the main city in Bay of Plenty, and stayed in one of the best YHA´s I have come accross, the garden makes it! It was pleasent and stayed there for longer than expected & covered quite a few miles walking while here. I went back to Auckland for a couple of days before my flight to South America. Quantas changed my flight back in March & there was no flight to Santiago on 1st September. However I was not made of these changes & details, I complained & asked what they could do. It took a couple of attempts but they put me in the airport Holiday Inn. I have not had this kind of luxury for months - huge widescreen TV, two comfy double beds, a bath, free food...heaven!! Next day I was refreshed to travel to Santiago.

I got to Santiago & to be honest I was not too impressed. The first thought that occurred to me is I come to a Country where I am very limited with their language. When Chileans´ speak it is so fast its just mesmirising & your trying to pick up the first word. There are some other things which are a little odd but now I am used to; 1 youngsters in the street fully on snogging/gyrating in your face (get a room). 2 Many dogs in the street that just stroll around & sometimes even follow you (they look well fed). 3 Not to put toilet paper down the loo as the sewers cannot handle it so goes into the bin instead. 4 How patriatoc they are with tons of Chile flags everywhere (but that might be because of it coming upto some Bicennetareal year). Also the buses they have in Chile are amazing; it puts our buses back home to shame!!

However its all part of the culture and I have grown accustomed to all the above. To me Santiago is just a city that you could probably put in place in Spain, it was nice & spent some days exploring the history of the place. I also took a day trip to Valpariso which is a seaside town but if I had to make a comparison it would be Bath but it was a lot dirtier. The last few days I have spent in La Serena which I have truly enjoyed, its a tourist town in the summer. At present it is quiet in the hostels but have gone on a couple of tours while being here. I went to Monolluco Observatory & star-gazed up in the sky, learnt some fascinating stuff about Solar systems, Universe etc. Did you know there are actually 13 constellations (starsigns) not 12?! But because of Religion 12 signs were decided because of 12 apostles & it only lasts 15 days so did not bother. Today I went on this day trip tour to the valleys & tasted Pisco (firewater). It´s a very popular drink in Chile & its amazing!! Take care, miss you all!