I feel as though I’m hardly in my bed and I’ve sprung straight back out for another adventure.

Getting up this morning at 4am was tough which was probably due to slurping the rest of my bottle of delicious Sauvignon blanc that was supposed to last me another two nights 🥂.

Pick up was at 5am and I was off to see the El Tatio geysers, a geothermal field located 4,200 metres in the Andes mountains – the highest in the world!

When the minibus arrived it was fairly empty and I was probably the 5th passenger to board which meant many window seats were vacant. Even though it was still pitch dark, I knew it would be light soon and there would be a good view as we travelled to our destination.

I know it’s everyone’s prerogative to recline their seats but why do some people want to have it almost horizontal and even then pull the handle vigorously while pushing the back of their chair with their torso almost disappointed when it won’t fold down into to the position of a bed. 🤬

I was squashed like a piece of meat between two slices of cheese and I had a backpack, jacket and my camera bag resting on my lap/chest 😱. I sat like that for one and a half hours while these two in front of me had enough legroom to be in business class!

It was a relief when we finally reached the geysers, I had no feeling in both feet and my ankles were beginning to swell.

The view was stunning and I think I was first off the bus

Apparently the reason we had to leave so early was because of the effects the cold temperature at that time of the morning (1 – 4oC) at 4,200 metres has in the geysers. When the 85oC water erupts from the blow holes, the hot water meets the cold air and turns to steam giving an impressive sight. Which it certainly did.

There were many many geysers exploding from a huge variety of little craters in the ground. Some discharged with great force, some gently babbled and some were just chaotic which had no rhythm nor consistency of strength to the routine which made it all the more entertaining.

It was fascinating. I expected a sulphur smell but there wasn’t, not sure how I would describe the odour but you certainly wouldn’t want to breath it in for any length of time. I guess sulphur is really associated with Volcanos – what do I know, I’m no vulcanologist.

Some people opted to take a dip in the thermal pool and although I had done all the painful preparation the night before and had my towel and itsy bitsy in my backpack, I couldn’t be bothered to be harassed with everything that was involved in having a quick dip. I preferred to wander round with my camera.

Not sure if they add chlorine to the water 🤣

There were so many aspects to this amazing location. There were little hot runoff streams that were so full of microorganisms, beautiful coloured bacteria and plant life

I could have spent a long time experimenting with my camera but as always with group tours, time was of the essence and all had to return to the bus – some more cramped than others 😤

So onwards we went in the direction of a small village called Machuca which was once populated with inhabitants trying to make their fortunes digging in the gold mines in the area but now only a handful of people are left and who now make a living by selling Alpaca kebabs to the tourists – nope, I didn’t endulge.

I peched a little hill to take photos of a small white church. Unfortunately the steps leading to the door were being refurbished and it was difficult to get a decent photo.

The priest will come from the neighbouring town of San Pedro de Atacama to perform sermons, burials, christenings and marriages etc when needed.

So homeward bound and finally we arrived back at the main square. I decided to go take a quick look inside the craft shops that I passed as I walked back to my hotel

They were full of beautiful jewellery, pottery, face masks, wood carvings and so such more. I could have bought so many pieces but I had absolutely no room in my rucksack – not even for a pea!

It was my last day here in San Pedro de Atacama and I took the opportunity to take all my paperwork out into the seething sun, have a delicious cold pale ale while check in for my next few flights and carefully scrutinising my travel plans for the next few days.

All of a sudden a gust of wind and sand came from nowhere and lifted up my one and only schedule high into the air and carried it off behind the hotel. Panic set in – I didn’t have a copy!! So I set off on hot pursuit and found it a bit worse for wear clinging to some jaggy bushes – phew, that could have been a disawster!

Gathering everything up, I returned to my room to get ready for an early dinner. I had abstained from having lunch and was now ready to eat a scabby horse! I still had my complimentary drinks voucher and intended to use it – my last night 😥

Pisco sour infused with rica rica plant 🌱, how utterly delicious (and potent). I was given so many complimentary food dishes I was unsure if I’d be able to eat my main dish ( who’s kiddin’ who 🐷) 🤣

To be honest I could have stopped there but I forced myself to eat a big bowl of spaghetti with tomatoe sauce, finish my cocktail and ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc – perfect.

Now, back to my room to contemplate starting that all important chore of packing and unpacking business.

Nite 😘