FRIDAY 2ND MARCH 2007

Sleeping Sickness

Been a bit odd the last two days. Nothing specific, just a bit of a headache but, boy, can I sleep. Racked up 12 hours on Wednesday night/Thursday morning and another 12 Thursday night/Friday morning. Till 1230 lunchtime both days. Plus, had a nap this afternoon. Amazing. Anyway, I seem to be back to normal(ish) now so see what tomorrow brings.

Money

Cash unit here is the Chilean peso and you get about 1000 Ch$ to the pound sterling. Notes in common use are are 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000 and 1000 Ch$. There 100 centavos to the Ch$. Coins are 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 centavos. I made myself laugh on Wednesday. I was going to change some money and there was a row of Change Bureaux. Some offered 533 centavos to the US$, some 535, and one, top dog was offering 536. Bingo thinks JT, cool killing here. Changed US$ 100. Work out the big killing. It might have bought me an envelope. A small one. In the sale.

(The Same Apartment One Week Later)

Back from Easter Island now. That week went quick didnt it?

So here are the early hilites.

Hand Luggage
All over Santiago airport are signs telling you that the limit for hand luggage is 8 kg and the bag has to fit through the gauge provided. Forget it! One guy had TWO bags, neither of which would fit thro the gauge, lashed together on a trolley. One 10 year old boys backsac was so heavy that he had to lean forward to walk and presumably had to lean on a wall when he stopped for oxygen. Or else flat on his back he would be. I think I am beginning to sound like Yoda out of Star Wars.

Getting There
Flight was fine. I was lucky enough to get a seat at the front of cattle class, ie the one with double legroom. Own TV screen and watched The Queen with Helen Mirren. (No, smarty pants, me and Helen Mirren didnt sit together and peep at HRH through the first class curtain. You know who you are.) Also watched half of Casino Royale but the machine broke before I got to the end. Hmmm. I wonder if the baddie got away with it? Frustrating not knowing isnt it.

Easter Island Airport
Dis embarked and were instructed to enter the airport across the tarmac via Gate No 1. Not difficult to spot although it wasnt numbered. There is only one. Locals coming home were greeted with smiles and tears from their waiting families actually on the tarmac (H and SE please note). Not too dangerous tho as it would be easy enough to spot a Boeing at Easter Island International. There is only one at a time.

Proceded to Arrivals and Baggage Reclaim. Carousel No 1 obviously. The stuff the locals bring home. Not surprising for the residents of an island where the nearest inhabited land is 1000 km away and that is Pitcairn Island, not noted for its vast export potential. It was a bit like a nightmare where the stock of your local Argos passed before you. Clothes airer, Ali Baba basket (lid secured by gaffer tape), a TV, a cuddly toy, fondue set. OK I made the last two up but you get the drift.

Left the airport by Arrivals Gate 1 and whisked off to hotel. The one I was in was the furthest from the airport, took all of 10 minutes. Everything is centered on the town ,only one town so it would be difficult for it to be centered anywhere else. Checked in, sandwich and welcome drink (pisco sour) and to bed lulled to sleep by the sound of Pacific breakers......and then aircon.

Better get this posted now. More with pics as soon as.

PS Check out The Cheese Empanada. Kevin stole my thunder with The Big Phone.