Managed to sort out the ticketing and catch the train to
Estacion Central, where I was to check in with Cata International to check my
passport etc, I couldn’t find a Cata window open, no one able to help in
English, panic starting to rise, as this place is chaotic. Ask a bus driver
from Andesmar, who is unable to help either. A bit later he came to find me to
suggest I was at the wrong bus terminal…this was about 8.45 with bus due to
leave at 9.00 – he assured me only 5 streets away, and arranged a taxi for me
and helped with my luggage – I could have kissed the guy.
Anyway taxi got me there in time, I found Cata International
open, though the guy was busy serving someone else and simply pointed at a sign
that was written in Spanish…anyway turns out the road to Mendoza is undergoing
roadworks and is ONE WAY only at the moment, so during the day it’s open from
Mendoza to Santiago and from Santiago to Mendoza at night…the upshot is my bus
will be delayed for12 and half hours…great!!!! I find a custodian place where I
can store my luggage, and set about spending the day in Santiago.
I watched the Dakar for a while, with many two and four
wheel motorbikes cruising down the main streets of Santiago, then I walked and
walked and walked around Santiago, went back to the hotel to find a bathroom,
as there was not much open around the city, caught the train again TWICE, and
eventually spent a few hours in a Starbucks and caught up on some blog and
other online stuff, it was nice to sit for a while, it was hot out, but ended
up pretty hot and sticky inside too.
The change to bus, meant I would be arriving in Mendoza at
5.30am, I am hopeful of still checking into the Hotel in Mendoza for a shower
and a bit of a rest. I phoned Leani at Aurora and asked her to contact the
Hotel, as I was unable to get through on the numbers I have or find an email
address.
Was hoping to do the hop on/off Red bus in Santiago, but
most of the stops I could find were on closed streets.
There were heaps of people in the streets many stopping to
watch the Rally. I found some interesting sites and squares. After my Starbucks
break I finally made it to the Santiago Plaza de Armas. Took a few photos etc.
Mary arrived in Auckland OK, but now won’t be home till 5.30pm, when she was
due in at 9.30 in the morning – fingers crossed I don’t get the same delays in
a couple of weeks.
I caught the subway back to the bus terminal…it’s a
$#^&*$ nightmare, people, luggage, buses, boxes EVERYWHERE, people smoking
all over the place. I found the line of 10 Bus parks that mine is to arrive at,
then went and found some ‘junk food’ for tea. Then I claimed back my luggage
and went to join the throngs waiting for buses.
The terminal is just plain ‘loco’, there are 25 bus parks
opposite each other, so up to 50 buses parking, and backing out into each
others paths, while others are coming in, it was a chaotic mess, but they
seemed to know what was going on. It was still hot and sticky and with so many
people around and smoking, it wasn’t pleasant. I tried to get a spot where I
could watch the 10 possible places my bus was supposed to arrive at. Mind you
at this stage, despite having been there for at least 45 minutes, I have not
seen ONE Cata bus, have seen many of lots of other companies. There are no
announcements for buses and certainly if there are it is in Spanish. The office
is over the other side and there is no way I can go and check with my luggage
etc.
Two girls stood next to me…smoking…and I could see they had
Cata tickets, thankfully the same bus as me, they were from Holland and
Switzerland and could speak good English, I waited with one and the luggage
while the other girl checked out the buses we couldn’t see and even went and
checked with the office again. The bus was late…I would have been a stressed
mess without them in the same boat. We left about 10.00 I think.
Disappointing to have this one delayed as I had hoped to see
the sights during the day, now it was going to be dark the whole trip – bummer.
Finally the bus arrived, checked the luggage and went
upstairs to my front seat on the second level of the bus. We managed to wend
our way out of the station and into the Santiago traffic which was a nightmare
(think it’s partly to do with the closures etc for Dakar) It’s a bit like
getting around Albert Park during the Grand Prix.
Finished and sorted my immigration papers and sort out how
the ‘Semi Cama” seat works, basically the seat goes back and there is a
footrest to, which is all rather comfy. We got some sangas and a cold
drink…quite comfy.
Mendoza is only 227 miles to go at 11.35, still 6 hours to
go…this is all weird.
The road was pretty steep and windy, and I think during
daylight would have been both picturesque and scary at the same time.
A little way out of Santiago in the middle of nowhere there
as a big Casino with spotlights roving into the nightsky. Can tell we are
climbing cos my ears are constantly ‘popping.’ Occasionally I can see what
looks like hydroelectric buildings, I think we are travelling beside a river.
There are heaps of tight and very slow corners and climbs. We got caught behind
some tankers and other vehicles, but there seems to be quite a line behind us
as well.
We arrived at the Chile PDI Border control at 12.30, there
were cars, buses, bikes, 4wd’s and people everywhere – another long wait. I
went back to sleep for a while. Finally we were out of the bus, I saw my
luggage taken off and into the x ray area, then we had to walk and line up to
have our papers checked and passports stamped, waiting in that line at 2.45am,
there were quite a few Dakar vehicles here too, not sure what happens when we
reach Argentina, although maybe we just left Chile and arrived in Argentina at
the same station. Back on the bus at 3.20am, my god South America is a very
patient country.
Back to school...seems it's universal.
One of the support vehicles for Dakkar.
Walking man...actually walks and tells you how many seconds left to cross...continued below.
Back to the hotel to 'pee' and there was a BMW bike from the Dakkar pulled up in the foyer.
One of the many church type buildings around town.
The rally postr with Chilean flag.
An intersting cross walk over the street.
Guards guarding something..maybe.
I think this was what they were guarding, but it was all fenced off, maybe Dakkar, not sure.
And here's another two on the other side, rear view.
One of the bikes soaking up the cheers from the crowds.
Another bike and the Karcher crew.
more support/sponsor vehicles.
Another bike.
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