Heading off from Mont Patria we thought we had the route down pat. Unfortunately, the mountains got in the way… As I am still getting use to some of the crazy sandy loose big stoned dirt roads here in Chile David is being a gentleman about it all trying to ease me into it with some asphalt and some dirt roads. God bless him I tell you!!! I think the mountains, Anta Kari Ruta even surprised David, with the hairpin corners and the steep descents on crazy loose and sandy dirt road. It was the longest two hours of my life. So not only did David have the job of getting us through this maze but also had the heavy task of keeping me calm and making it seem like a piece of cake. He truly is a great rider and I take my hat off to him for doing such a great job in not throwing me off the bike, yelling at me to calm down and getting us back on asphalt in one piece.
I must say that the views where spectacular and even though I was cringing with fear I am glad we went this way as it isn’t every day you get to admire the scenery and take in the whole of the mountains.
After a long and tiring day on the bike we finally arrived at our campsite, Rio Cochiguas Camping. It was nothing like what we had hoped for. The reviews were great, it apparently had everything but there was no way we could and would even attempt to get the bike down the goat track driveway or even pitch a tent on the hard stone so we decided on plan B!!! San Pedro Hostel in Pisco Elqui. And what a groovy and fantastic little town it was. So, after a very long-awaited piping hot shower (hadn’t showered in five days and my hair was doing things hair should never do…) we started to explore this intriguing town. It’s funny how things always seem to work out even when you think life has all turned to crap…
