I think La Serena means 'place of the giant supermarkets' as they seem to abound in this Chilian beach side resort. Though the beach ispretty crappy and crowded it isn't a bad place as everything is about a third the price of in San Pedro and it generally feels pretty civilised. After Peru and Bolivia its amazing to be able to cross the road at pedestrian crossings with cars actually stopping (they stop at red lights too!!!). I think the drivers here may t...

Crossed the boarder from Bolivia into Chile where the customs guys actually search every bag. After three days in the desert with no showers I guess we all look (and smell) like dodgy backpackers short of money who'd faciliate movement of Bolivia's most famous export for a hot meal! New year's eve was a hoot with a good time being had by all in San Pedro 'the town of contrasts'. San Pedro is a weird place, most of the streets are dirt but the proces are St...