I left Pucon and headed for Santiago, it’s similar to Taupo in NZ . Chile is much greener and lusher than Argentina, the change is from when you cross the border. Moving on it becomes like the KZN midlands lots of forrestry, mixed farming etc. Chile is much more advanced and happening than it’s neighbour, newer cars and trucks, industry that is organised and well run and much more. I spent the night on the Pacific coast, it was like Clifton in CT but no other houses really majic. Then moved on to Santiago where I had to find a new tyre and chain and some other stuff, it is a huge city, very well organized, but the trafic is hectic. Managed to find and do what I needed toand moved on north to La Serena. It gets drier as you go north and becomes desert. From La Serena Iwent in land to El Qui valley, wow what an amazing place, vineyards and orchards in the middle of the desert in the valleys and up the mountains, I can’t explain, nor can photos, it’s just amazing. I then moved on to Antofogusta, found a cabana on the beach so I’m chilling today, move on tomorrow to San Pedro D Atacama, it’s in the middle of the desert, a huge salt pan, a lunar valley and hot springs. The desert here is just dead not a tree, or plant, or a blade of grass, just sand and rock, no animals or birds, nothing! It’s quite intimidating at times, have to take spare food, water and fuel with. From there I’ll go in to Bolliviar and on to Peru. More later