A Dim and Damp Dawn

Trip Start Jan 11, 2012

Trip End Jan 28, 2012

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Where I stayed

Holiday Inn Santiago Airport

(Santiago hotels)

Flag of Chile Santiago, Chile
Friday, January 27, 2012

We’re flying back to Santiago today, and our last big adventure is slated to be watching the sun rise at the special site where 15 Moai were restored to their standing positions. We leave the hotel at 6am, and as we do so the rains commence in a torrential downpour. There is so much standing water on the road that it is impossible to see the potholes, so it is a very bumpy ride to the site in almost zero visibility.

Once there we see that we are not the only dedicate sun worshippers to brave the inclement weather, as there are several other vehicles parked to watch the sunrise. The anticipated event is quite a let-down, as there are simply too many clouds for the rays of the sun to pierce. Our guide has brought his own van, and he proceeds to start the car after we realize that the sun isn’t coming out today.

Grind

Sunrise on Easter Island?

. Groan. Silence. Grind. Groan. Silence. *#@%! We’ve got a plane to catch!

We all pile out into the muddy road and proceed to push the van, hoping that the guide can pop the clutch and that the engine will start. We repeat this procedure a couple of times in first gear forward, and in reverse. Fortunately a very nice young man from another vehicle adds his considerable muscle to our efforts, and SUCCESS!!

We return to the hotel where mad packing ensues after breakfast. A couple of guys have problems with their tickets or need to make changes, so they go to the airport early. The rest of us follow at noon, and our flight takes off a few minutes early at around 2pm. Flying time to Santiago is 4h 20 in this direction, and with the two-hour time change we touch down at around 8:30pm.

After fond farewells, three of us cross the street to the airport Holiday Inn. It is an excellent property, and it is great to have the feeling of being back in “civilization” with all the amenities of a modern hotel (like high-speed internet access). A night of rest, and then onward to Chicago tomorrow!

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