5th Feb 2007 - Santiago, Chile

36 hours jet setting from Perth-Sydney-Auckland-Santiago-Lima. Quite tired but very excited for my start of my South America Tour. Caught up with the rest of the Madventure group who are mainly from Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland. I am the only one from Perth..what dedication!!!!!!.

We spent 1/2 day in Santiago and the first thing that hit us is the smog and the pollution in the air. There is so much culture galore with historical architectures. Went to the Metropolitan Church in the Main Square. It is so beautiful and so serene and such a calming effect. Lots of the local meet there for prayers, contemplation and just taking 'time out' from the busy everyday lifestyle.

We then went out to lunch at a local restuarant and I tried out their fried 'pollo' (chicken) and it was delicious, although I thought that I was just getting a breast but ended up with half a chook!!!. At least Jason and Brad helped me to polished it all up. Very tender and very delicious-the chicken that is!!!!!.

Then off to the lookout ( a wee bit like Kings Park in Perth but a grander scale). The scene is "WOW" The view is spectacular and here we can see the extremely class differences of the 'haves' and the 'have nots'. Beautiful tall buildings and oppulent houses on one side of the mountain and the opposite side of the mountain, slums and shanty houses on the flat valleys.

There was a lovely old man that had a stuffed wooden donkey for the little kiddies to pose on with a poncho and a cowboy hat. Cheeky me off course, just couldn't help myself and pass the chance to get a ride as well. The old man had a great time laughing his head off and not to mentioned that I did tipped him US$1 for his trouble as well.



















The Madventure Group all had a giggle but the locals just looked at me "GAGA" ..bloody stupid gringo they must be thinking. I think I have gotten my role as "the joker' within my group on the first day.

We then took out for yet another plane to Lima,Peru. My body clock is getting haywired as we have passed so many different time zone and time changes. This really knocked it out from us weary jet lagged travellers.

Mary Ellen is my appointed room mate/buddy and what a team we are. I found out that she is also a very spiritual person and is looking for the same thing as me. We are very wel suited and both believed that the universe have intended to have us meet and to look from each other and from this travel as well.

We went out for a walk in Lima, what a balmy 25-26 Celcius. The local time is 1:30am and there are still lots of people miggling in the town.