The furthest north, the section I’m in is the ‘Norte Grande’.
It is made up of the Atacama desert, one of the driest on earth.
Atacama Plains
The best attractions the region lie about 600km south on something called the Atacama Plain.
Here underwater lakes and rivers, volcanos and techtonic activity provide diversity to bolder, dunes, scrub and sand that make up your standard Atacama landscape.
Situated at the top of a cliff on what used to be a military outpost.
Peru, Bolivia and Chile staged a Pacific war over fertilizers some time back and things have never been the same since.
Offers good views of town and a chance to see more burdlife.
Condors
The condors here fly in front of your face lifted on currents around the cliff face.
I saw about many flying and few sitting on outcrops below the museum.
A burd spotters must.
Arica has a lot of bird life, I have discovered.
I know there are people out there interested in this type of meaningful hobby, myself not previously one of them.
Mastering the art of spotting burds in Arica is not difficult, they sit atop the trees depositing nitrous chemicals on all below.
Here are some shots to keep you twitchers happy.
I spotted this Pelican on the beach.
It has had a chunk gauged out and part of its internal organism is exposed.
There is a little dog pestering it.
I sense this beast is due to die soon and feel like doing something to put it out of its misery.
The other passers by do not share my sentiments and view the dying Pelican with impartiality.
I would lob its head off.
I wonder how it got such a big chunk missing out of its side?
Hello Chile.
Arica
First appearance, Arica seems run-down, dusty, hot and full of traffic, they have a McDonalds. Also a modern looking Mall type area where dudes walk up and down.
I stay at the Las Palmas hotel.
The girl behind reception is always doing the cleaning and she has left romance novels around the reception area for the guests to read.
She offers me a discount on my room from 14 to 7.
It looks alright and has cable.
Smile and nod at reception girl. đ
There is nothing in Tacna.
Taxi drivers try and drop you off at hotels.
There is a train out @ 4.
I catch it.
It cost 5 sole. About 80p.
Border guards think it is funny to call me Michael ‘London’ Tyler on my border control slip.
I have to pay 15 sole to leave the country as my documents are not in order.
Goodbye Peru.
