Jul '0804
Here we are now, less than a 100 km from the Argentinian border (which means next door for Chilean!). Tomorrow is our last day in Chile and we are heading for Salta, Argentina tomorrow.
Chile was a huge country with an average bus ride of 20 hours, and unlike Laos, the average speed is more like 90 km/h than 20 km/h. And even at that speed, we have never been as confortable in a bus as in Chile. They drive safely (the speed is monitored inside the bus by passengers), there is room for shoulder and legs, the seat are confortable (even the most economic ones).
Anyway, here is a quick list of our visited places in Chile:
- Santiago: we did a great tour by bicycle, check our links & friends for info.
- Valpareiso: city walks.
- La Serena: nice city, the Hurtado and El Encanto valleys nearby are really worth it.
- Copiapó: initially to visit the nearby natural park Nevade de Tres Cruces, but we find out that it was closed in Winter. So in the same day that we arrived, we hopped on a bus to San Pedro de Atacama.
- San Pedro de Atacama: 4 days intense visits of the region. This place is a good example of mass tourism, but if you manage to find your own mean of transport (foot, bicycle or car) you can easily avoid that and still enjoy the region.
Jean-Christophe & Vera
Jun '0827
So we went to this incredibly isolated, but oh so beautiful place called “Easter Island”. Although it belongs officially to Chile since 1888, it breathes the temperament and history of its Polynesian ancestors. Because that is one thing for sure: the Rapa Nui (the inhabitants of Easter Island) came from Polynesia.
The Traveller Moai of Tongariki
But what about those Moai? Those beautifully carved, elegant, huge statues. With their back at the sea and calmly looking inland, it seems they are waiting for something to happen. But when you see those statues, you just cannot stop asking yourself the following questions: Why are they here? And what function do they have? And how did they transport them (for information: the biggest one ever transported and erected on an ahu (altar) measured 9.20 meters!)? Many scientists have been inventing many diverse and creative theories, but none really convinces and the truth is that until today, nobody has the REAL answer to those questions. But at least we have some ideas about how they transported them…
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Jun '0824
Yes, French Polynesia is about white, sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water, palm trees and coconuts lying around everywhere for everybody free to eat. Top that with incredibly friendly people, French baguette and croissants and you seriously start wondering why you are still living in Europe.
BUT
French Polynesia also has some obscure dark sides which we will lighten up a little bit in this article.
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Jun '0821
“… falls in himself.”
So a wellknown saying in Holland goes. We however think that it should be changed to:
“Who digs a hole for another… makes sure the other can have a hot spa!”
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Jun '0820
Here we are now on the South American continent! We just landed a few hours ago in Santiago De Chile. The weather is grey, with rain and a temperature of 9 degree celsius. So nothing to envy us 
But we won´t talk too long then of the wonderful weather we had in Rapa Nui (Easter Island). We did some great hikes there and seeing for real the huge and magnificient Moaïs was gorgeous!
We have now one month t explore the Northern part of Chile and Argentina before flying to Madrid. Yes, we are soon going back to Europe and the begining of our trip.
But for the moment we will enjoy every minute of our stay in South America, so cheers…
Jean-Christophe & Vera
Jun '0813
We just landed on Easter Island a few hours ago and we are enjoying local downpour rain (though it is not really cold here).
Quite a change from Tahiti and the atoll of Fakarava where we stayed and enjoyed sunshine, little rain showers (free hot water!!) and a whole range of blue colored waters, sharks and delicious parrot fishes.
More soon to come.
Jean-Christophe & Vera
Jun '0806
But in our case, today will be yesterday.
Yep, get that brain working…!
We are leaving Auckland the 6th of June, arriving in Pape’ete (Tahiti) the 5th of June, thereby traversing a time-zone and gaining a day. 
Well it was about time also, because for the moment we only kept loosing them…
Or let’s say better: we hope we are going to arrive the 5th of June. This article has been written before our departure and will be published automatically.
And our departure all depends on somebody in France going on strike or not…
Vera & Jean-Christophe
Jun '0804
We were quite looking forward going to Tahiti; after having finished cycling, we passed a few days in Auckland, which wasn’t our favorite city and the weather wasn’t all too good, which made we were quite looking forward to some sunshine in Tahiti. But, arriving at the airport we got a little surprise…
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