Today we had plans to catch the night bus to Pucon (further south in the area of Chile known as the Lake District) which meant checking out of our hostel room at midday. Since we had the whole day to kill we made the most of a leisurely morning at the hostel, packing up our stuff and Scott spoke to his Mum on skype. I was annoyed at myself all morning as I realised I'd left a small thermos flask somewhere (probably back in La Serena) containing all my larium for malaria prophylaxis and my 3 month supply of contraceptive pills. I was meant to be taking a larium this morning as you're meant to take it once a week for a month after leaving any malaria infected regions. It's only 2 weeks since we left the Amazon, but since I only got bitten once by a mosquito I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best! The pharmacies here in Chile don't seem to stock Larium, but thankfully I managed to replenish my pill supply from a chemist (for the not so small fee of £50!) It makes you realise how lucky we are in the UK to get free contraception; and yet we still have the highest teenage pregnancy rate. Crazy!

In the afternoon we walked back to downtown and went to the chemist, and took a longer route back via another very steep hill...stopping for a diet coke on the roof terrace of a cafe on the way back up. We had been invited to dinner by Claire and Bernie (the ozzy couple) which we gratefully accepted, looking forward to enjoying their company again as our paths would be parting after today - they are heading into Argentina and unfortunately won't be be back in Oz by the time we're there. We had a fab evening sitting on the roof terrace of their hostel overlooking the sea and eating scrummy stir-fry with yet more red wine! (Thanks guys in case you're reading this! :-)

As I write this we're spread out on our night bus with fully reclining seats....here's to hoping for a good nights sleep.