It's a long oneStep one: getting to the airport.
On the 7th of November I left from Arequipa to Lima on a short 17hr bus. It ended up being 18 or 19, but who's counting. The day before I went to the bus station to deal with my kayak, my plan was to leave it there over night and travel with it the next day. For a nominal fee they offered to send it that night and I could pick it up at the terminal. Great send it! I arrived in Lima at 11 or 12 at night, and low and behold the terminal is closed, with some sleuthing I find out that the terminal opens around 5 or 8 am. This is not very helpful as my plane leaves Lima at 830am Ergh... I walk around the area and find a hotel (a bit pricey) and sleep for 3hrs. Waking up at 4 in the morning I walk the 20-30min back to the terminal in hopes that it opens at 5am... It does Yay!!!! Now each company has an office, surrounded by a 10 foot high fence. There is one open (not my company) but, beside it is my bus companies office, with my kayak. Safe and sound, and locked behind a 10 foot fence. Ergh Turns out that my bus company's office opens at 8. Well that will not due, as I have a flight at 830. And so begins the pleading, and the begging. I show them my ticket, my luggage tag and my receipt. The are not having any of it. It would be robbery they said, a breach of contract, go away and come back at 8. At one point I am fed up with the bulshit, I hop the fence in order to steal back my kayak. This pisses them off and they lock me inside the office and threatening to call the police. I see this as a turn for the better. Please call the police. They will help me get my kayak back so I can go to the airport with my boat. After some convinceing by other parties I am let free. The begging and pleading continues. I show them photos of my kayak on my phone. But alas they are hearing nothing. Time for action! In a lul in the arguments, I walk back into the office and successfully steal back my kayak. I left the receipt along with the baggage tag. The transaction complete, although a slight lucrative I walk out the front gate and get the first taxi out. Step one complete... Step two: getting on the airplane. I arrived at the airport at 630 am right on time for check in. Upon arriving at the counter I was quickly notified that I had an outstanding balance, equalling to the price of the ticket. ??? Now as many of you who use credit cards know, the card works or it doesn't work. Simple. The friendly ticket agents, and management did not seam to understand this. Nor did they understand that my receipt, issued by the company should be enough to confirm that I have payed. Becoming more and more frustrated I showed them that the money had in fact exited my account, and was payed according to visa. We settled on 5.67usd handeling fee. Grand. The usual boat drama ensued and we settled on 30usd to transport my surfboard, waveski, whatever the hell that thing is to Santiago. Breath... The time is now 745 boarding begins in 15 minutes Run... Ahh but wait, my river knife is still in my life Jacket. I guess security can have that. Run... I make it to the plane as boarding begins, now to settle in to the three hour plane to Santiago. Payed 40usd in Santiago to get my boat to Puerto Mont. Easy. In Puerto Mont I took the terminal bus to the local bus station. Then dragged my boat and bags to the ferry terminal, approximately 700m. A beautiful portage beside the sea with glaciated mountains in the distance. Stunning... Purchasing a ticket was a breeze. I even got 30% off on my ticket as there was a promotion. My kayak unfortunately ended up being double the price of my ticket. A classic situation. The ferry leaves at 11pm and arrives at 9am. I settle in on a bench and enjoy a comfortable and we'll needed sleep. Arriving in chaitan the next day I am greeted by huge glaciers. Unfortunately the free transport bus will not accommodate my kayak. All good luckily a good ol' boy with a pick up can take me into town. Yay I don't have to walk a km into town. At 11am the bus to futaleufu arrives, unfortunately it is way to small to accommodate a kayak. Ergh. And so begins a km or more walk out of town so I can hopefully hitchhike my way there. I got picked up around 3ish by a lovely couple heading up for an afternoon fish. As we drove to the Rio Yelcho my jaw was on the floor, I wasn't sure where to look. Everywhere there where huge glaciers. Omg... I was treated to a late lunch of chicken and beef bbq. For dinner and breakfast, fresh trout from the Rio Yelcho. Luxury. The next morning I was quickly picked up by some truckers heading past the turn off to Futaleufu. Great people, but could not understand anything they said. Arriving in Santa Lucia I excitedly began the wait for the next ride Yeet yeet!!! It would not be for another day and a half. With a total of 2 days spent in Santa Lucia here are some facts about the town Population: a couple hundred at most Economy: tourism and car repair Two years ago a mud slide came and destroyed half the town and killed over 25 people. I was picked up by a young man who works for the state tourism board and had lovely conversations till we arrived in Futaleufu. The end, yay!
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AuthorHi there! Archives
February 2021
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