Our transport back to Santiago was by ´bus cama´which is a ´bed bus´but unlike our previous experiences the seat actually was quite bed like with blankets and a good reclining position and they even came round with breakfast! Unfortunately I almost brought it up because of having to watch the lovebirds in front of us...get a room.

We headed back for our third and final time to what had become our second home in first class Hotel Paris in Santiago. The kind receptionist once again gave us some sound advice and where I had had a whimsical wish to go the ´Los Andes´just so I had been to the Andes he advised us that there was a closer area of the Andes which had lots of things to see and do, so we headed off to San Jose de Maipu. Despite having (almost) travelled the length and breadth of Chile to find glaciers and hot springs I was surprised to discover that the area we were going to had all of this plus vineyards and more. The scenery was certainly spectacular with mountains surrounding us on all sides and it gave us quite a kick to know we were in the clutches of the mighty Andes. After a happy afternoon wondering by the river and watching a nanny jump up in surprise at a hose starting up right on her backside we headed back to Santiago to tie up the loose ends and pack for our next stint. After many people saying "oh well, mugging´s an experience too" we were rather anxious about the next leg of our journey: Rio de Janeiro.