Day 24 Aticama to Santiago

 I kept waking up during the night and went outside to see the night sky.  The stars were very bright and I could see a shadow of the milky way although it could have been cloud.  It wasnt possibe to take photos of it but I did try.  

We had the morning in San Pedro de Atacama so finished packing and then spent the morning at leisure looking around the hotel grounds and gardens.

 
Hotel Gardens

 
Hotel Gardens

 
Cactus in Hotel Gardens

 
Hotel Swimming Pool



 
Paul outside our lodge

 
Back garden of our lodge

We were picked up early from our hotel and driven to the airport at Calama, which is about 100 km away.  There are a lot of little shrines along this road and each represents a life lost through a road accident.  It is quite thought provoking that so many have died on this road.  We were told that the shrine must always remain in the same location.  If the road is rebuild then the shrine is removed and preserved and put back in the same place after the roadworks have been completed.

 
Shrine to someone who has died through a road accident

 
Shrine to someone who has died through a road accident
 

 
Shrine to someone who has died through a road accident
 

We checked in at Calama Airport but found the entry through security was closed.  There were a lot of people waiting and we assumed they only opened as flights were due to go.  A large group of those waiting started clapping and chanting - football style - and we again assumed it was connected to the World Cup.  It wasn't either. Apparently a flight had been cancelled and the passengers forced their way through the security area in protest and riot police were called.  It looked like the security gates were closed while the passengers were evicted but they then came back to cause more disruption.   There was a lot of confusion as we got to the security scanners and an official tried to turn us away but another Spanish speaking passenger told me to stay.  She argued with the official and was allowed through.  I just showed him our boarding cards and he allowed us through but security was again closed not long after.  The chanting and clapping continued intermittently and we were scared that they would force their way through to the departure lounge.  At the time we were due to board there were only about 20 passengers at the gate.  We eventually boarded but the flight was delayed as many passengers had been unable to get through security and the departure was held back.  

We were therefore late getting to Santiago and didn't get to do all we had planned.  We did manage to visit an Easter Island Maoi that is not far from the hotel.   We tried to visit Santa Lucia Hill but it closed at 8.00pm.  We found somewhere to eat then tried to get a bottle of Pisco, the local liqueur, but all supermarkets closed at 9.00pm.

 
Church in town centre but doors are made
of an unattractive metal and church seems to be closed

 
Attractive building in City Centre

 
Very large church in city centre

 We have a couple of hours in the morning to catch up on outstanding things to do but we might have to miss out on some things.

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