We´ve made it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, we´ve just arrived at our hotel, and its about 5am Aussie time so we´re pretty knackered..... Trip is off to a good start with only a couple of kinks occuring so far ..
Our flight from Australia to NZ went without any dramas, and despite our inital plan not to drink, we enjoyed a few vino´s whilst chatting to a lady sitting next to us... Slightly intoxicated we disembarked, only to stumble into John G from work... what are the chances!!...Also had the bonus advantage of having a rather good looking flight attendant (Alexander) ...
Next flight we continued with our good flight karma and ended up sharing a row of four seats between the two of us... which should have meant we got a good nights sleep ... but it didn´t.... Those damn planes are so uncomfortable...
Anyway, after arriving in Santiago we line up in customs for what felt like 9hrs (prob 20min), only to be told we had to be in another queue..... finally, with our entry tax paid, we went to collect our luggage ... and while standing at the wrong carousel, a damn sniffer dog took a liking to my backpack and started pawing it... i love dogs, but i thought that was the beginning of the rest of my years in a South American jail.... with my bag taped up, we go through customs where its inspected... Turns out Starburst ¨fruit filled¨lollies, really do smell like fruit to an over zealous labrador... phew.
After being accosted by a few thousand dodgy taxi people, we went and withdrew some money... Poor leah ended up accidentally withdrawing most of her holiday savings since we couldn´t understand the ATM or have any idea what the exchange rate is.. So we have plenty of peso´s now! HAHA... After being claimed by a taxi driver, we ended up accepting a lift and paid about $100 US for a taxi fare that shoudl have cost us $37.... too tired to care , or realise we actually tipped the dodgy guy as well. HAHA.. we´ll catch on after a bit of sleep i´m hoping...
We´ve found our hotel, and apart from going in a lift with no doors - we´re safe and well.. and in good spirits.. just in need of a good sleep i think...
BTW Mum locke ' DO NOT CALL INTERPOL - I´m not dead, missing or kidnapped - its just my phone doesnt work over here.... If you need me urgently , u can call Leah otherwise its email all the way now...
Big hi to all...till next time..
Ah the dodgy cabbie - i tipped a dodgy cabbie in Budapest after he charged me about $70 for a 8 min trip. Scoundrels. Stay safe and have fun xxx
ReplyDeletePeter
Sounds like the adventure is off to a good start. Dodgy taxi drivers - a world wide bad example of their countries and lifts with no doors....it's the little helicopters with no doors you need to stay away from, unless you can claim the middle back seat like your grandmother did, Leah.
ReplyDeleteDitto Peter...stay safe and have fun.xx
http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/aussie-tourists-escape-striking-bolivian-mining-town-20100813-12265.html
ReplyDeleteDon't go to any mining towns in Bolivia - or Mum'll call Interpol.
Awesome to hear you are alive and well!!!! Something's telling me this is not the last time you'll get ripped off by the cabbies. Sounds a bit like home to me. What did you watch on the plane? Did Vampire Porn courtesy of Anaemic get you through the flight?
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear you made it safe and sound! they can see those westerners coming a mile off. Stay safe xoxo
ReplyDeleteHello Leah,Glad to hear you made to Santiago.Hope all is going well for you both.Went to Nakitas 21st last night.Good to catch up with mum& dad.Stay away from dodgy men.....I'll keep following your blog.
ReplyDeleteHello all - sms just received from Leah today Sun 1.15pm
ReplyDelete"Buenos noches senora! All is going well here but no internet. Not sure if you have heard news about protests in Bolivia, but if not sorted out in next 36hrs will be doing a jungle tour instead. Have 17hr bus ride tomorrow.....will try and email again soon. Love to all xxx"
Hello there ladies! Glad to hear all is well and that you are travelling safe (if not as tourists and being ripped off as tourists do - you would have nothing to write home about otherwise :p). Mt Buller was great - kids ski like pros. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHi there my special Katie...Interpol number now safely on my phone list. In regular contact with siblings to keep ahead of other disasters in Sth America. Commenced search for a dentist...somebody stop me.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, sounds like one great adventure. Can only imagine the jungle challenges ahead. Do you need a barky goldie to assist with any scrub turkeys, possums or flesh eating fish or left over meals??.
All is good here. Everyone well and happy. Stay out of trouble and have the time of your life. Miss you and love you dearly,
Mum
Katie, I'm glad you are alive! I miss you!
ReplyDeletePS The pool was making a funny noise so I drained it and filled it with jelly and we had wrestling matches all weekend! Wish you were here! xxxx
Big thanks to Anaemic for downloading True Blood onto my MP4 (and thanks to Andrew for organsing the purchase for me)... its definitely making the LONGGG bus rides almost bearable...
ReplyDeleteMum,
ReplyDeletePlease give my baby Lucy a huge pat for me.. I miss her heaps... There is no shortage of dogs over here tho.. they are all strays and are community owned, but they are all well fed (and massive... like HUGE!) but none nearly as cute as my little bear..