Day 130: Arequipa, Peru to Arica, Chile

Hey youse all
Another day, another border crossing. Well not quite.
Breakfast was on the fifth floor so Shirl got out the camera for views of the city. And other things.








We had a big day ahead of us so got out of the San Francisco Hotel reasonably early, driving out of reception




and then down the footpath onto a one way street to avoid having to go around the block. The usual fight with traffic to get out of town. They have an interesting system here of uncontrolled four way intersections. When the traffic is light, it works well. First arrived, first go. When the traffic is heavy it is biggest and most battered first (not fish, silly) and smallest and most vulnerable (us) last.








Soon we were out of town and on the road through an industrial area




With people carrying heavy loads.




We have been intrigued by the memorials along the roads in Peru. Often they are little houses, often decorated and cared for, but also often abandoned and weathered. Here's a sample.




































We had morning tea an a cafe with this gentleman who had a staff member called Diana.




He enjoyed us so much that he gave Shirley an ocarina. Here is a photo of me playing the 1812 Overture.




Kiwi checked him out. Seemed ok.




We then had a long spell of desert driving with quite a strong cross wind buffeting us around. It should have been boring, but it wasn't! Then scenery was great.
















With occasional green patches.




Soon we were at the border with Chile. It took us about an hour to get through but we found that the staff were quite chatty and friendly. New experiences for us was having to take our bags off for X-ray and drug dogs. Or maybe fruit and food dogs?



It was here that we lost two hours! Yes Chile, with daylight saving is two hours ahead of Peru. We went from ten past four to ten past six. Just like that!

Just down the road from the border is the port town of Arica. It took us a while to find a hotel but we finally found one in the centre of town. Getting to it involved driving the wrong way down a oneway street. Unfortunately we chose a moment just as a police ute was coming. Bugger! We promised to do a u-turn as soon as possible, and didn't riding on the footpath instead to the hotel.

And that is about that. Just the usual now - dinner, beer and bed!
Today's ride: 415kms
Cumulative: 32,173kms
Tip overs: 7

Location:Arica, Chile