It's time to leave behind the Pacific Islands and move on to mainland South America. French Polynesia was a bit of a disappointment. I left Tahiti the day after I arrived to go to the nearby and more picturesque island of Moórea. I had hoped to find a diving course to get myself a PADI qualifiaction but was not in luck - a shame given that thay are supposed to have some of the best diving in the world with warm water, great visibility and good reefs. Alas, it wasn't to be! The Beachcomber International Resort PADI course (mega-bucks to stay there) would have cost 330 pounds! I understand that is less than half this in Egypt and Thailand. My othr option of taking a fun dive would have only allowed me to dive in the lagoon to 6 or 7 metres so I opted for snorkelling instead. The lagoon was beautiful but the weather wet; it is the rainy season and boy did it rain!! However I did manage to walk a little and took a day kayaking in the lagoon which was tiring but a good way to explore. The temperature stayed fairly steady in the high twenties day and night and when it wasn't raining it was very humid. Five days proved more than enough before moving on to Easter Island. This was much better in terms of both environment and weather. I teamed up with two other Brits on my flight and we hired a jeep for two days to get around the island. The Moai (statues) and the relating history were fascinating. It also proved much cheaper than the expensive French Polynesian Islands. However 4 days allowed me to see pretty much everything. I am infact now in Chile. Staying with family in Santiago. It's nice to be pampered! Tomorrow I depart for Patagonia and some walking. Hopefully I'll get to see the Fitz Roy area in Argentina as well as the Torres del Paines National Park in Chile as both are said to be spectacular. Bye for now, Ben