Tacna, Peru > Pozo Almonte, Chile – 334km > San Pedro de Atacama – 443km

Today we crossed into Chile – took about 1 3/4hrs to get through the border and for the first time we had to empty out our panniers and put the bags through an x-ray machine, along with everyone else.  We also had to put our watches forward 2 hours.

Its over 2000km to Santiago and its all desert

There is nothing between towns, not even gas stations.  I can do about 320/330km to a tank but with the wind we topped it up a bit sooner than that.

There was a security check in the middle of nowhere, where we had to produce our documents

Selling their garlic in Pozo Almonte

We are enjoying being in Chile – it is so much cleaner and feels calmer without all the tooting, motorbikes, and crazy driving. Also we are enjoying the food better too, and…the pillows – there is a real business opportunity in Peru for supplying the hostals and hotels with soft pillows – haha.

Pozo Almonte > San Pedro de Atacama – 443km

Mining trucks

Decided to take a side trip to San Pedro de Atacama

The landscape

Charlie getting his perfect pic

…and here it is

The town has kept its original look…

…but is full of tourists and all the buildings are all hostals, restaurants, tours, mini markets, and tourist shops

Met Stuart and Brenda from Canada – they store their bikes in South America and come down for the Canadian winter.

Was great to meet another female rider, first one I’ve met since the ferry in Mexico.  Spent the evening with them and…

Matt and Megan from South Africa joined us, they are doing the same trip as ours but in the opposite direction– so that’s 2 female riders in one afternoon.