Posada del Parque
Posada del Parque wasn’t just a campsite. It had a large conference room and was holding kindergarten type classes in an igloo shaped tent. Our site overlooked wetlands leading to sand dunes. We were going to explore last night, but it didn’t happen. I had a lovely hot shower this morning and the ladies running the site were lovely. Dennis wasn’t very impressed as the area was very dusty with little grass.
Once on the road today’s drive was a very different experience. Much more traffic and built up areas. We bypassed Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Neighbouring cities. According to iOverlander many visitors with foreign registered vehicles, or rental cars, are subject to robberies. We didn’t think either place warranted the risk and didn’t think there was much of interest to see.
En route to Santiago in between built up areas, we passed vineyards and areas growing other crops, especially maize.
We passed through two tunnels. Emerging from the second, which was long, to a view of a stunning, snow capped range of mountains.
Santiago Suburbs
Skirting the city centre, we are now south of the city in a suburban, a bit industrialised area. The roadside was lined with fruit stalls and small shops, so we stopped to buy more fruit and vegetables and bread rolls for lunch.
I was buying bread rolls when Dennis took a call from daughter, Sarah. Fortunately, we were conveniently stationary. Sarah and family have now reached New Mexico, but wanted to ask Dennis’s advice re a mechanical issue with their truck.
Armed with warm rolls straight out of the oven and a big hunk of goats cheese, we headed to our campsite. Inconveniently, there was a burst water pipe right in the street where the camping was located. There was a deep puddle outside the gate. Dennis parked Poki as close to the gate as possible, so I didn’t get my feet too wet.
Having rung the bell several times and honked the horn, we couldn’t get any answer. I sent a WhatsApp message asking if we could camp and advising we were at the gate. We decided to find somewhere to eat lunch, away from the flooded road, while hoping to get an answer.
Parking in a field of very dry grass, we had the still warm rolls and tea and I received an answer from the camping owner, Matias, saying the gate was not locked. We could push it open, but please make sure it was closed afterwards.
The campsite
The campsite is surrounded by high hedges and fencing and is very quiet. There is a pool and hot showers and the possibility to use the washing machine. There are are a couple of vehicles left here. We presume the owners have gone into Santiago.
I read on iOverlander that some people have left their vehicles here and flown to Easter Island. The airport can’t be far away, as we appear to be on the flight path with aircraft often passing overhead. I hope it is quiet at night!
There are also another couple here from Germany. They are driving a Texas registered vehicle, a Ford van, which they purchased in the US. They are in the process of trying to sell it, as they want to return to Germany. Many overlanders buy a vehicle to travel with and then sell it on to other travellers. Paperwork wise Chile is the easiest country to do this in.
It appears, Matias, isn’t here at the moment. He’s Argentinian and is in Argentina until Wednesday. While we were cooking dinner, Matias’s wife came to visit us. A very friendly lady, with her daughter. She came to tell us all about the camp and to find out how long we’re staying. We said 2 nights, but she said we could stay longer if we wished.
Tomorrow we will attempt to go into central Santiago. I think it is a bit of a mission. An Uber ride to the metro station and then a train into the centre. It takes about an hour, apparently. I need to do some research on stations and what we should see.
A visitor to our tent
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