The Vagrant Gypsy Life

Day 155 Tue 1/2 Tongoy/ La Serena

After two family days, I am off on my own again. Take the bus to La Serena after breakfast.

It takes me a while to find a hostel in La Serena as it is high season.

La Serena has some lovely Colonial buildings and a nice atmosphere. The main plaza feels extremely peaceful. The beach is about 3 km from the city centre. A nice walk along tree lined streets.

Day 156 Wed 2/2 La Serena

I took a tour to Parque Nacional Frey Jorge and Valle del Encanto. The micro climate makes for an absolutely unique little area in the national park. The vegetation there cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Day 157 Thu 3/2 La Serena

I didnt do much on Thursday, except reading, getting some sleep and spending some time at the beach.

Day 158 Fri 4/2 La Serena

I had heard great things about Valle Elqui and decided to head to Pisco Elqui and Vicuña. The bus ride to Pisco Elqui was 2 hours long, but with great views that made the time pass by quickly. Pisco Elqui is small and beautiful.

Pisco Elqui and Vicuña

Day 159 Sat 5/2 La Serena/ bus/ Santiago

Took the bus to Santiago. It is a 6 hour ride and I dont remember much from the bus ride, so the views werent anythign special. I also managed to get a bit of shut eye!

Santiago made a good impression on me. I walked around the Bellavista neighbourhood Saturday night. It is a bohemain neighbourhood and a fun place to be, especially for a tourist.

Day 169 Tue 15/2 San Pedro de Atacama to Salta

I took the bus from San Pedro to Salta and enjoyed some great views. I cannot remember another bus ride in my life that had such a lovely view. Desrt landsape followed by salt flats, followed by curving roads as we reach more than 3000 m in altitude, mountains that are colourful and greenery as we reach Jujuy and Salta.

My photos dont do justice to the scenery : Bus ride from San Pedro to Salta

I felt fresh after I arrived in Salta. After a shower, went to take a look at Salta at night. Salta looks beautiful at night and I head to bed after a day feeling happy – how can one not feel happy after such beautiful sights!

Day 179 Fri 25/2 San Pedro de Atacama/ Bus A day that was spent updating my blog, catching up on some reading and a couple of nice meals. The bus for Arica left at 8.30 pm and was filled with passengers Day ... [Continue reading this entry]

Day 177 Wed 23/2 Salta My last day in Argentina! I have fallen in love with all the 4 countries that I have visited in South America so far, having spent most of the time in Argentina. Almost feel sad that ... [Continue reading this entry]

Day 174 Sun 20/2 Tilcara A 3 hour bus ride from Salta to Tilcara, arriving at Tilcara at 13:00. Ran into Florence, an Argentine from the tour to Cachi. She was on a 9 day vacation from her job in Mar ... [Continue reading this entry]

Day 170 Wed 16/2 Salta Spent most of the mornng walking around town. The plaza is very comfotable and is home to some beautful buildings, including the ice-cream coloured catedarl and the cabildo. Arranged tours for the next couple of ... [Continue reading this entry]

Day 165 Fri 11/2 San Pedro de Atacama After the 23 hour bus ride, I arrived in SP. The small town in the desert is very picturesque. The main square is filled with offices of tour groups. Tourism is a really ... [Continue reading this entry]

I spent 5 days with friends (Rodolfo & Maria) in Santiago, spending time with them, catching up and relaxing. Walked around for a couple of days and the rest of the time was spent doing chores, eating, watching movies, football... Santiago ... [Continue reading this entry]

A friend (Rodolfo) in Santiago invited me to his friend's (Martin) house in Tongoy, which is a small town with a couple of nice beaches on the coast, south of Coquimbo and La Serena. Martin's parents are retired; they had ... [Continue reading this entry]

Day 146 Sun 23/1 Border crossing, Valparaiso After various 20 hour bus rides, a 7 hour bus ride seem like a breeze. The only glitch was the 2-2.5 hour wait at the border to cross into Chile. The scenery was well ... [Continue reading this entry]