13th Sept

Santiago Chile

Qantas did it to me again. They changed my flight time but 1 hour earlier. That's ok as I leave Napier at 12.20pm arrive Auckland 1.20pm then leave Auckland again at 4.40pm. My flight from Napier was 40 mins late. I arrived in Auckland at 2.00pm. Once again I am running from domestic to international.

After a long check-in only 15 people in front of me and 4 desks open it took over an hour.
I only have time for a quick coffee then I am off.

As I crossed the international date line I had a 39 hour day. Arrived at hotel and went straight to bed. After an hour of no sleep I get up and go for a short walk.
Not too sure what to make of Santiago. Lots of lovely old buildings but also a lot of 1960 grey concrete blocks (I think they are apartments).

Santiago is surrounded by mountains. When I first arrived I thought I could not see them very well as it was misty but it's now 4.00pm and I still cannot see them well - I now think it is polluition.

13th Sept

Have ventured further away from hotel today. First stop, something to eat. As I have no Spanish I have to keep asking for an English menu which are few and far between. I end up in a German coffee shop. That 12 months of German lessons stopped me from starving.

Next stop a beautiful cathedral. Don't know what was going on as there were lots of very well dressed dignitaries and military men. Outside the police were all over the place. Later in the day I find a square where I sit in the sun and people watch.