14th Dec 2007…

Flight was ok, was so tired though that I missed out on my meal as I slept most of the way - think I'm getting used to sleeping on transport now as I couldn't have done that at the start of my trip.

Arrived at 8ish in the morning - only three hours behind the uk which was weird. Checked into the plaza de Armas hostel - right in the centre of Santiago - check out the view for the hostel balcony - video. Headed straight back to bed for a couple of hours before getting up and taking a walk around the centre to get my bearings. Unbelievably I stumbled upon Ken and Tony from the Inca trial in Peru. So we walked around for a bit together and went for a pint. The temperature was a lot hotter here than Peru, so nice hot whether at Christmas time - so weird seeing Christmas trees everywhere. Headed back to the hostel where I chilled out on the balcony watching the world go by.

Met Duncun, Scottish 27, but living with his Dad and step mum for a year in Talco, south Chile - taking his pilots licence - really nice guy - worked for Edinburgh Uni in their Map department - I knew I wouldn't be the only one that enjoys the occasional map viewing!

Was going to met up with Tony and Ken with Duncun to grab some food and a few drinks but think we missed each other at our meeting point so Duncun and I decided to head to Bella Vista area via the underground. Nice chilled out night.

15th Dec 2007…

Walked around the main centre with Duncun and did a bit of shopping. Tried an Enpanda - like a Cornish pasty really.

Went up the St Chrsitabol Hill via the Funicular and then cable car - check out the pics. Then went swimming at what can only be described as one of the most scenic places for a swimming pool in the world. Great views of Santiago and the Andean mountains in the background.

Back at the hostel we had a few beers with Lauren and Dave - Canadian, and Blair and Louise - OZ. Had a good laugh chilling on the balcony and then the lads continued the party by venturing the the Bella Brasil area. Met up with Carolina and Coney - Chilean and had a few more drinks.

16th Dec 2007..

Pretty lazy day really. We me meant Alex, 56, Swiss extreme sports fanatic - amazing but crazy guy that leads an inspirational life. Sorted out a few things for Fiji and then did a bit of shopping. The other guys I had met were all going to watch the local football game between Cola Cola and U's - big play off game so bit gutted I couldn't go as I couldn't fit it in before my flight. So they left and then about an hour later they returned as all the tickets had sold out, but they did say it looked a bit crazy out there with police everywhere. I actually watched the second half of the game at a bar in the airport whilst waiting for my flight and the game ended up being called off because of crowd violence so it was probably a good thing we couldn't get to go in the end.

So Chile - Santiago - very European looking - a lot more developed than the rest of South America apparently. Again met some really cool people and really enjoyed my couple of days there.

Flight to Auckland was at 23.05, good flight,

17th Dec 2007..

This day never happened - so weird. Went from -3hrs GMT to + 12 hours GMT!!