And thus we reached San Pedro de Atacama, in Chile, just 40 mins by bus after the Bolivian border.

From Bolivia to Chile we just had to get around the Licancabur volcano. But the Bolivian side is about 2000 meters higher than the Chilean side. We were freezing in Bolivia, wearing 3 layers of clothes. Driving down to Chile, the temperature rose to 35 degrees by the time we reached the Atacama desert.

The brutal rise in temperature was only comparable to the brutal price inflation! There we were in South America’s most expensive country. And in that country, probably in the most expensive village! We inquired about some tours in the area but everything was outrageously expensive and most of it are parts of the Uyuni tour we just did, sold in Chile at 3 times the price. Same with accommodation, so we thought we’d just head out of there quickly and continue our bus journey to Santiago.

Then we realised that flying from Calama to Santiago 3 days later would take 2 hours and be cheaper than the 25 hours by bus. So Mary found an airbnb a bit out of town. The place was only available for one night and we thought we’d have to go wait for our flight in a gloomy hotel in Calama.

Ana, our airbnb host turned out to be super friendly, had a beautiful traditional house, managed to accommodate us for all 3 days and even suggested some nearby places we could go to without booking a tour. So in the end we had a wonderful time in San Pedro. Leo befriended Franco, her 19 year old son with whom he played chess and cards. He even helped them with construction of their new house. And we celebrated Ana’s birthday with their friends around a barbecue. And we swam in nearby rivers and waterfalls! (Yes, in the desert!)

The most fascinating thing about the local scenery is the arid desert surrounded by the snow peaks of the volcanoes! At times, the canyon walls would remind us of the « Narrows », in Zion national park!