Adios Chile

We landed back in Chile and went back to our hostal in the centre of Santaigo taking the bus and metro - avoiding the lying taxi drivers - one of which informed us that the metros weren't running because of a student protest.

For dinner we ended up back in the restaurant that we'd been in on the very first night. Between our last visit and this one they had mysteriously lost their alcohol license and after being handed the wine list were confused by a waiter who told us we couldn't order wine. After some more questioning and a chat with the owner it turned out we could order wine but had to drink it from tea cups in case the police came to check up - strangely we were allowed to keep the bottle on the table. After our meal we headed to our favourite bar, Bar Berri, for the last time and our final bottle of Chilean wine.

On the way back to the hostal we stopped at a bar around the corner where we met another drunken local - he was pouring his beer into a small bottle of wine as he had decided that it tasted better - he talked to us for ages before we finished our beer and made our way (also very drunkenly) home.

Next morning, departure day, we both had bad hangovers. We managed to grab some lunch, do some last minute shopping and I booked my accomodation in New Zealand. I also managed to off load all my guide books, photo cds, sleeping bag and clothes I'd not really worn into Jens backpack.

We caught a taxi to the airport still feeling ropey. Jens flight left first but unfortunately at check-in her pack was now over the weight allowance and we had to pay an additional charge. It was then time to say our goodbyes as Jen headed home and I set off to New Zealand.