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<channel><generator>iloblog 1.0</generator><title>Wanderings in South America Feed</title><link>http://sa.dinwiddie.co.uk/</link><description>Chile, Bolivia and Argentina are on our list. Got any suggestions about exiting places to see?&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;</description><item><title>It&#039;s cold &amp; dark here!</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=14</link><description><![CDATA[ Back in Stockholm! Picked up at the airport in Stockholm by our wonderful daughter, after an almost uneventful but loooong journey through Madrid, it started snowing! We had one mid-air event around the equator where we flew into heavy high-level turbulence. One's thoughts went immediately to the Air France plane crash earlier this year. We managed through OK. The other event is described further down in this missive.  Our last few days in South America were quite luxurious.  From our very comfortable hotel in Mendoza, we did a day at the wineries, being driven round by our very own driver, Alex, who turned out to be an ex-rugby international player for Argentina. As we mentioned in our last missive, the 6 course lunch was incredible, and our dinners at a small recommended restaurant Asafran, were not much worse. At this restaurant, there is no wine menu - you chose your wine directly in their well-stocked cellar or bring your own wine.  The customs on the trip back to Santiago seemed slightly less intimidating but just as lengthy. Even though it was dark, the towering mountains were loomed high above us, the snow glowing in the moonlight and the light from millions of stars. It was magical. Back in Santiago, we were picked up by Matt and Pete, representatives
for Bicicletas Tours, who had organised our hotel, the Orly (very nice
and comfortable) and a golf round at a country club outside Santiago.
The air was much fresher up in the hills above the city, the country
club was flashy with pools, tennis, training facilities, saunas and
massage - all available for our one day there. 
The golf course was 9-holes you played twice - different tees and
greens for the second 9 holes. It was fun and challenging - lot's of
water! 
We relaxed beside the pool for the rest of the day. 
 
On our final morning at the hotel Orly, Anna-Karin got serenaded by
some of the kitchen staff who sang Happy Birthday in Spanish for her
and presented her with strawberries and lemon merengue pie - that's
service for you. 
 
Finally on the plane, we were served dinner by a very stressed out and
rude hostess, who totally disregarded Anna-Karin, who got very upset. I
freaked out and started shouting at this lady, whereupon the purser on
the plane rushed up quickly to pacify and apologised for our bad
treatment. When she asked if there was anything else they could they do
to help us, Anna-Karin quickly said (with feeling) a glass of
champagne.  
5 minutes later a full bottle of Cava and 2 glasses were gracefully presented to us. Anna-Karin got her champagne after all.  Here are a few more piccies referred to above plus one or two of our climb up the volcano Villarica.   Well, this will be our final entry for this travel log. Not a very comprehensive coverage, but we hope you have derived some enjoyment in reading about our trip. We have seen so many beautiful places and met so many nice and
interesting people, as well as learning much more about this wonderful land called
Chile. We have enjoyed it immensely, and wish it had been 3 months instead of 3 weeks!   This close to Christmas, the chances of us getting our Xmas letter together before Christmas are small (understatement!).   We take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Take care of yourselves and the planet! Love Alistair &amp; Anna-Karin and our lovely kids Robert &amp; Sara  
 ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 13 Dec 2009 23:11:15 +0100</pubDate><category>Where we are</category></item><item><title>Goodbye Argentina</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=13</link><description><![CDATA[ Waiting for the bus to take us back to Santiago. 8 hour trip ahead of us, with a visit to the border customs again - hope it doesnt take as long as last time!!  Had a great day visiting 3 wineries and an olive oil factory yesterday, with an amazing 6 course lunch provided by one of the wineries with different wines for each course - yes, we had to pay for it unfortunately, but it was worth it!  Some more piccies from Santiago, I hope  See ya  
 ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:39:59 +0100</pubDate><category>Argentina</category></item><item><title>Some more piccies</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=12</link><description><![CDATA[ All these pictures are from San Pedro de Atacama in the north of Chile -  From top to bottom Anna-Karin en route to the Valley of the Moon - a round trip of 24 km The giant sanddune at the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna) Alistair in the middle of nowhere The colours of the desert at a small oasis One of the Monks Rocks The expanse of the rock desert Twisted rock formations The immenseness of the Pan of Tara (Salar de Tara) Us waiting for the sunset at the seaside resort of Puchilemu    
 ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:28:26 +0100</pubDate><category>Chile</category></item><item><title>Some piccies</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=11</link><description><![CDATA[ A few pictures to give you some added substance to our short stories. From bottom to top!  Alistair dancing Chilean dance,  Thermal springs Banos Morales, Anna-Karin singing karioki Seaview at Isla Negra, Margareta, Anna-Karin, Meith at Isla Negra Hotel Isla Seca in Zappallar, mansions above coastal path in Zappallar     
 ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 08 Dec 2009 22:13:47 +0100</pubDate><category>Chile</category></item><item><title>Hello Argentina</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=10</link><description><![CDATA[  After a marathon of bus trips, first 10 hours from Pucon in south-central Chile to Santiago (admittedly full-cama - quite luxurious seats) followed by another 6 hours (semi-cama) to Mendoza in Argentina, we are relaxing at a small hotel in central Mendoza. 2 of those 6 hours to Mendoza were spent at the customs station at the border! Soo sloooww! Before the first bus to Santiago, we had spent the day climbing a volcano - Volcan Villarica, just over 2800 m! A fantastic experience, especially sliding down the mountain on specially designed bum protectors made of a shiny material, using an ice axe to steer with!  For the first time on the trip its raining here in Mendoza. We will have to see if we venture out?! 
 Take care! 
 ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:44:48 +0100</pubDate><category>Argentina</category></item><item><title>Goodbye Santiago</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=9</link><description><![CDATA[ Hola Amigos  Almost two weeks since our last entry! Full days of travel, wonderful experiences and pure laziness have prevented us from communicating with you.  We have seen some amazing places - just to give you a few examples -   Bathing in sulphur-coloured hot water springs with a backdrop of the multi-coloured Andes mountains  Marvelling at the sea views and all the collections of glass, maps, globes, masks, shells, figureheads from the bows of sunken ships ....... at Pablo Nerudas home Isla Negra on the coast below Valparaiso  Visiting the brightly-coloured old quarters of Valparaiso balancing precariously on the steep hillsides overlooking the city where Jenny, a friend from Sweden is living. A wonderful day with her and her little family Jorge and Samuel.  Staying at a fabulous hotel Isla Seca in a sleepy little town called Zappallar filled with amazing houses and mansions - a haven for the rich from Santiago and Valpaiso  Last but perhaps most looked forward to (by Alistair anyway!) 4 days in San Pedro de Atacama. Very dry, dusty and hot, but most of all the scenery - wierd and wonderful rock formations, endless vistas of desert and mountains. tours up to over 4500 m above sea level on roads that shake the life out of you.   We have so many pictures to show you when we come home! Sorry we have not been able to put up any of them here.  We are now on our way south to the Lake District for a few days and then to Mendoza in Argentina for a few days with a bus trip over the Andes.  Speak to you all soon Stay well Alistair &amp; Anna-Karin     
 ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:07:18 +0100</pubDate><category>Chile</category></item><item><title>Friday Santiago</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=8</link><description><![CDATA[  Hola amigos!! 
 Amazing, a week has gone by already!  Alistair has spent most of his time at the conference and Anna-Karin has been the tourist.  We had the gala dinner last night at the military officers club. The club was situated high above Santiago with a magnificent view of the city, the sun setting in the west lit up the Andes behind the city. Great social evening with Chilean drinks (pisco! - niice drink!)dances and songs. Alistair was taught how to dance the Chilean national dance and Anna-Karin was dragged up on stage to sing karioki! Pictures coming sometime!  Everything was done with military precision - all the guests buses up to the club escorted by military motorcycle police. At the end of the evening we were bussed back to the Military College, where 30 taxis were waiting to transport us back to our various hotels arould the city. During the day, Alistair went on an offical tour to Valparaiso to visit the Naval mapping unit, while ANna-Karin made her own way to Valparaiso on the local buses to visit Jenny, a friend of the family, who lives in Valparaiso. Fantastic place!! We going back there soon. 
 Time for the last lectures! 
 Best regards Alistair &amp; Anna-Karin 
 ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:58:06 +0100</pubDate><category>Chile</category></item><item><title>Monday in Santiago</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=7</link><description><![CDATA[  The time pass quickly. We have now invested in a cell phone and can hopefully be reached 0056-92947323 
 Yesterday evening the opening cermony, at the ICA 2009 conference took place at the Military Academy. The Military band played and a Chilean dance group performed. They showed dances from Eater island and from the main land dances like the Chilian Cueca. The speed of changing clothes were impressive like the dance performance. 
After the show, once the technical exebition finally was launched, there were mingle in a bit of a "Chilly night" 
 Anna-karin will today explore Santiago with Maarit who she met during the conference, since she also is an accomanied member from Norway.  
 ]]></description><pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:19:39 +0100</pubDate><category>Chile</category></item><item><title>santiago de chile</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=6</link><description><![CDATA[  Well, we are here after a quite reasonable trip, despite being served crummy sandwiches about 2 am - we woke just as we crossed the coast of Brazil. The sun lit up long ridges of red cliffs that cut through the vivid green of the jungle. The wide grey-green rivers meandered through the landscape like snakes in curves and bows. Occasionally a road cut through the green, straight as a die for miles and miles. In the southern Brazil and Paraguay huge cattle farms divided rhe landscape into massive rectangular paddocks with a water reservoir in the middle of each rectangle. Before we reached the magestic Andes we flew over fantastic semi-desert areas with amazing rock formations and colours. Up at 12000 metres we flew over the snow covered peaks and we think we saw Acongagua. All our luggage arrived and we are now looking down from our little balcony at the streets of Santiago with the backdrop of the Andes. It´s around 25 degrees, gorgeous sunny weather and we feel fine! 
 Be back soon with more news. 
   
 ]]></description><pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:22:46 +0100</pubDate><category>Chile</category></item><item><title>First stop Madrid</title><link>http://iloapp.dinwiddie.co.uk/blog/sa?Home&amp;post=5</link><description><![CDATA[  5 hours in Madrid airport - una cervesa por favor! pappas mapas tapas - 
 Not the most inspiring airport, but they did have cheap Cardhu whisky! 
 Countdown to 13 hours bum-rubbing in the sky! 
 Take care everyone 
 Alistair &amp; Anna-Karin 
 ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:17:53 +0100</pubDate><category>Where we are</category></item></channel>
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