Intentional Delays My original plans were to arrive in Argentina tomorrow (today for you people on the other side of the date-line), 7th March. However, I have delayed my arrival there until the 9th of March (Tuesday) so that I could spend more time here in Chile. Chile Chile is an amazing place. Basically a desert, there is very little water around Santiago. Flying over the Andes revealed mountains of dirt with absolutely no vegetation on them at all, a bizzare sight. On the Chile side there are tiny bushes and many cactii with very little water. In Valparaiso, the main port of Chile and a popular beach town built on rock cliffs and slopes, regulated car parking is found in the river bed as is a fairground with ferris wheel and all of the normal rides. In winter the water flows, but in summer it is as dry as the outback of Australia. Actually, outback Australia is what it is like when driving outside of Santiago, which is an oasis of green. Rather than choose a hostel, I have found some accommodation in a private home. Here I have my own room and bathroom, and am given breakfast in the morning, all the things I could want. I also get to practice my Spanish with the people here, who do not speak much English. The house includes a tour company office which I have used to my advantage, taking a tour today to the beaches of Valparaiso and Via del Mar (vineyard of the sea). I have two more days here and what I get up to is yet to be seen. There is far too much to do for the time I have... as with every place I have been, but as with the rest of my travels, it will all be fun.