Iquique - quiet days by the sea

13.12.-18.12. 2018

We take the bus to Iquique via Calama to relax. The first time ever that we have nothing planned - except lying in the sun and reading.

The beach here is really beautiful. At 30 degrees in the sun, you prefer to find shade to relax. However, due to the partly cool wind from the sea, we are constantly drawn back to sunbathing and Carsten often goes into the water to cool down.

We use the free time in the morning to skype with friends, family and also with Carsten's class. They are currently at the Christmas market and enjoying themselves. We wander through the city a bit. There is not much special to see. Often the opulent Christmas lights catch our eye. One time we are even personally invited by the owner and his family to their house for Christmas punch.

Our hostel has a large courtyard with a porch swing - what more could you want. The complete package makes time fly by, so we don't even notice when the sun sets in Iquique on the last day and sends us back to Calama the next day.

But before that, we make a short detour to the fish market, Camanchaca El Emporio. There, huge maned seals await the fish scraps and fight for the best spots in the sun.

19.12.2018

In Calama we stay overnight and skype briefly with Carsten's sister the next morning, who is celebrating her birthday today. We organize everything important for our upcoming flight to Santiago de Chile. The stay there will be 10 hours (hopefully we will get a paid airport hotel). Afterwards, the flight to Rio De Janeiro will depart.