Goodbye Paraguay, goodbye Chile, hello Peru

After bidding farewell to the first country permanently after our short trip to Buenos Aires, it was time to say final goodbye for the second time in Asuncion. Due to the considerable distance to Chile and our further travel destinations, we unfortunately had to rely on the airplane again. So after a hearty hotel breakfast in the morning, we headed to the (international) airport of Asuncion. Here, it was once again evident how tourism in Paraguay is. The airport (the largest in Paraguay) consists of one terminal, six gates, and another airplane parked next to ours on the tarmac.

Nevertheless, we had an impressive flight back to Chile as it once again took us over the Andes, offering beautiful views from above. Upon arrival in Iquique, the beach feeling returned immediately at the airport since the runway is right by the sea. This feeling was further enhanced after arriving at our hostel, which is located right across from the city beach, so we made a detour there. However, swimming is only for the brave here as the water temperature is far from bathtub temperature. Nonetheless, Tabea boldly went in and enjoyed the waves, while I settled for a refreshing Kneipp treatment for my legs. After another relaxing day at the beach, a bit of exercise, and an extensive walk through the city, it was time to bid farewell once again, this time definitively from Chile.

At 4:30 a.m. the next day, we started our journey to the bus that would take us to Arica, the last city before the border with Peru. Here, the adventurous part of our journey to Peru began. Unfortunately, there is no bus across the border to Peru, so we had to switch to a so-called "collectivo," a shared taxi, in Arica. Squeezed with a total of 6 people in a regular car, we drove for about 30 minutes to the border crossing. Here, our taxi driver (certainly not without self-interest) helped us with immigration and skillfully maneuvered us past the waiting line. Then we continued for another 30 minutes to Tacna, the first city on the Peruvian side. Here, we had to change buses once again, which would then take us to Arequipa, our first destination in Peru, after another six hours. Unfortunately, the six hours turned into eight as our bus had a minor engine problem along the way, but at least we made it. As the two drivers clumsily tinkered with the engine, we had slowly come to terms with the idea of waiting for a replacement bus somewhere in the mountains for several hours in the dark. So we were relieved that we still managed to reach our destination on the same day and simply fell into bed in the evening.

Here in Arequipa, we will spend the next four nights and then start our further journey through Peru. But more about that next time...