Oct 25 - 31, 2016: Chile 

Oct. 25, 2016.  Hostal Mar Azul, Arica, Chile.

• On the bus at 6; 10 hours to Arica.  First day in Chile!  Very happy I took this non-tourist route (only two other backpackers on the bus).  Sitting on the right side, the scenery was amazing: many volcanoes (one smoking), including Sajama, the highest in Bolivia at 6542m, and a few others over the border over 6,000 as well.  Followed the south and west sides of Lake Chungara, the 29th highest in the world, even with a few flamingoes.  Then slowly down to the coast, through rough cliffs and deep valleys, the last two hours through dry, bare hills, at one point with a few widely spaced candelabra cactus.  Right ear and both nostrils plugged by the time we reached sea level.  Hostel with only one other guest, but good wifi and clean room with plenty of hot water. 

• Walked up and down the pedestrian strip at dusk - warm and pleasant, everybody out for a stroll, some in shorts and sandals, the road leading to the port.  Made me think of the Med.  Dinner of lentils (!) - a huge plate I couldn't finish.

• Checked with a tour agent, who said I was the only tourist in town, and so no chance for a 3-4 day tour of the Chilean Altiplano.  No sweat: it isn't very different from the Bolivian side, and my bus ride covered a good hunk of it.  I'd rather spend my remaining time in Patagonia.