Hola! Around South America on LAN

[RooFlyer]

For RF, a TR is a given . But I'm still going to curse him at every post....

I had no doubt that he would

As will I, especially when he starts to get through the Malbecs

Up until this point I supported you, I took pleasure from the indulgences of a fellow frequent flyer. But here I snapped into a far simpler feeling. Of Jealousy!! Damn you !!

Cripes. I thought my ears were burning on the flight over!

Watching this very closely as we are in our planning phase for our July trip. We thought we had a plan then we got derailed and then we thought about the Galapagos...

A couple of questions on your plans if I may?
- how did you narrow down all the choices for Galapagos? It's driving me crazy! I have looked at the Eclipse several times though.
- Machu Picchu tour - which one was this? I'm looking at one through Natural Focus at the moment that uses the Belmond properties.

With Sacha Lodge - friend went last year and loved it!

My choice for Galapagos was made relatively easy by the fact that I'm a solo traveller ; only a couple have single staterooms. My first choice was a smaller vessel, but it was sold out 8 months before, when I went to make the booking. You can be a 'willing sharer' (therefore cheaper) and might not get a room mate, but I wanted more certainty.

MP - I started out self touring, and got my TA to stitch things together. Unfortunately they went to their wholesaler in Sth America, Natural Focus Safaris and it ended up a longer tour and more expensive than it should have been. It probably makes sense to make it a bit longer, to acclimatise in the Sacred Valley before going to MP or Cuzco, but I don't like the way they present things. My Galapagos cruise was booked by the TA through them as well and if I'd know the hassle then, I would have booked it direct.

It might be different if you book through NFS direct, but the stuff I was getting from them was very generic (ie things included which had northing to do with what I had booked); no idea how the actual tour will work. For instance in my itinerary I will be collected from my hotel to do such-and-such. Doesn't say when, doesn't say what type of transport shared bus, or private limo etc etc. I asked what the cancellation schedule was for the cruise (ie when I can cancel and get X% of funds back). VERY evasive. Kept replying that it depends on vessel, and time etc. I gave them the vessel and all that, but I never got a precise answer.

The coup de grace was 4 days before Christmas, I was notified that due to falling A$ (its all priced in US$), I had to pay the LOT (abt $12K outstanding) within 4 days (ie before Christmas day) else I would be subject to price rises. Wouldn't let me pay in US$, even though the invoices have US$ column.

Even if the tours go flawlessly (and I don't think they will), I'm going to give them two torpedos, in person, when I get back. AVOID them if you can but if you want to deal with them, keep asking until you get the answers you want.

 

[RooFlyer]

The trip began in wholly unappealing fashion with a 2 hr HBA-SYD flight on Virgin. Check-in was a shambles, in part due to the fact that they were weighing carry-on. Almost everyone re-packing at the counters. :evil: Mine was 8kg, and allowed through. The flight was marked by 3 kids, 8-12 behind me who squabbled and fought the entire flight.. Ah, holidays!

Overnight at Rydges Sydney Airport which was uneventful. Packed though.

OK. The first real day of the trip began in the QF F lounge and a nice breakfast. No pics, its been pretty well covered. Not crowded at all at 8am.

Boarding LAN 800 (A340) was pretty orderly. The seating is 2-2-2 in J. Seems to be plenty of space around.




There was only about 9 pax in the 28 seat S section on SYD-AKL. there are 5 rows in the main J cabin and 2 rows in a mini cabin behind the main galley. The A340 is showing its age; all the bathrooms had water staining like this - a pretty ordinary sight!




Breakfast was served SYD-AKL, but I passed. About 3 hrs to AKL, then a 90 minute turn-around, so I went to the QF lounge and was surprised to discover there was a 'F' lounge . Small with some eats, but pretty good drinks:



Re-boarded, but now the J cabin was almost full. Unoccupied seat next to me, which I appreciated, spreading things about. On being seated, an offer of a pisco sour and nuts, which were both very nice. They took dinner orders soon after levelling off, but then no cabin service until they served, about 90 minutes later. The FAs were pretty good on the whole; language seemed to prevent them from engaging with the Anglo pax, there was obviously more with the Hispanic pax. The service was on the whole efficient but not much warmth. The CSM introduced herself but I didn't see her again.

Menus. Wines were from Chile and Argentina naturally. Tasting was offered before pouring the glass.




I chose smoked salmon for appetiser and steak for main. Both were OK without being exciting.





The IFE was pretty good - a range of recent release films. if you choose English language you always get Spanish sub-titles.

The bed as almost horizontal - as good as and was surprisingly comfortable. It seemed like a few inches wider than a QF Skybed; maybe a few inches shorter?

One really irritating thing during the night was the constant parade of FAs up and down the aisle from the main gallery to the forward one. And of course they all tread heavily. It was at least every minute for long while and very regular for the entire flight. Wheeling carts back and forth too. I got no sleep whatsoever.

 

[cmon0005]

Just a shame you didn't get a 787, I had read somewhere that the lan 787 will be starting syd-akl-scl soon

 

[RooFlyer]

You bet! I think its coming in the next few months. Some services, like TripIt already have the 787 doing the route

 

[RooFlyer]

The route (26,600 miles):



That's a lot of South America untouched!

 

[cmon0005]

You bet! I think its coming in the next few months. Some services, like TripIt already have the 787 doing the route

Just checked, even on QF site it has SYD-AKL LAN flight on 787 on this Saturday!

 

[JohnM]

Just checked, even on QF site it has SYD-AKL LAN flight on 787 on this Saturday!

Yes, it was due to start in April.

Sounds like RF was unlucky with the stomping FAs. I've slept like a lamb on that sector. Need to have a couple more reds before turning in RF!

 

[RooFlyer]

We arrived at SCL on time and, aided with some instructions from JohnM I easily found the booths for the 'reciprocity fee' - although it is well signed. After you go down the escalator to Immigration, its now a 180 degree turn to the left, go along roped off areas to the payment booth. They will make change if you pay in US$ cash. Then around the corner to the immigration booths. Only took a few minutes.

I decided to book a 'official' taxi before I collecte dmy bags. 25K pesos - pretty steep, but I was really tired and couldn't face any taxi scrum. Bags too a while but soon outside the terminal, seeing the taxi controller guy, who leads me to the taxi. More a (small) limo. Immaculately clean, beige leather interior. Good to relax, although it would have ben nice if the driver, having ascertained that I don't speak Spanish, and telling me he doesn't speak English, refrained from giving me a tour commentary in Spanish.

Our destination was the Novotel Vitacura. It's about 10 minutes beyond downtown on the freeway. I tried to recall why I chose it, as its not near any sights. Mainly I think because it was an Accor, and I went for a quiet area. It is in a nice, Embassy type area. Its your typical Novotel, which was what I was after. Room was also 'typical' - there were some pics taken., but can't find them. Never mind, I'm returning to SCL for a day on may way back so will do it then. Also the sights of SCL.

 

[RooFlyer]

Departing Santiago today for Quito via Guayaquil. I had heard that LAN had a new VIP lounge at SCL, so kept my eyes peeled for priority check in. Absolutely no-where to be seen. I joined the regular queue where the lady fortunately pointed me towards priority check in. Its very poorly signed, and at the far, far left hand end of the terminal, as you enter.

Up escalators and there is a pretty natty VIP check-in area. Then passport control (also 'VIP') and security (quite desultry - guy on the bag x-ray but no-one except him on the walk-through X-ray).

You walk up to the lounge entry counter and are either directed left or right. You definitely want to go right! I asked what was to the left and she explained poorly - you can pay to go in there, but I think it would be the equivalent of the QP. To the right is a very, very nice lounge. She described it as 'business, plus the top 2 tiers of OneWorld'. I would describe it as a First Class Lounge! The pic on the right is the first sight of the 'business' lounge.



The lounge is over 2 levels and is bright, with abundant seating and power points. Three major snack and drinks stations, each with Louis Roederer Champagne and Chilean and Argentinean wines.










Its not quite finished - plenty of workmen buzzing around; there is a 'games room' and a 'sleeping area' - still under construction. The 'bistro' I think will just be a buffet - but it too is incomplete, so you never know.



I have 3 hours here; I think they will be profitably spent

 

[Major]

I have not been to South America so looking forward to your TR

 

[JohnM]

I have not been to South America so looking forward to your TR

Time to pack your bags, suh :!:.

 

[JohnM]

I like the look of the new LA lounge. The old ones were comfy enough but quite tired.

Looking forward to a 5-hour layover there BOG-xSCL-MAD in late Sept. .

 

[RooFlyer]

Exclusive sneak pics - the sleeping area and the games room:




Boarded the A319 on time and priority boarding ('preferente') worked well. Soon we were up-up-and away, heading north up the Chilean coast. I eschewed my usual aisle for the RH window to check out the views.

First the Andes - gotta love those mountains - and the mines! Gotta love those open cuts!




Then the coast. Lots of wind farms.



I was in PE; it was a 5.5hr flight and no way I was going to suffer in whY while still jet lagged from yesterday. PE means an unoccupied seat in the middle. Not sure of the seat spacing is any greater than regular whY. Dinner was nice - it bore a striking resemblance to the dinner I had on SYD-SCL yesterday





Landed on time in Guayaquil, a large city on the coast of Ecuador. Bit of confusion as they were herding us all down into immigration; I pulled over a guy and said 'transit to Quito?' (as I thought we cleared customs and immigration in Quito) and he then pointed to a side door. About 8 of us went through, desultory security again, through duty free and into the departures area. I know LAN had a lounge here (or I thought they did). Followed the signs to a shared lounge, so I flashed by QF Emerald card together with my BP and hoped for the best. 'No, sorry, only LANPass, unless you have an invitation. Oh, happy days, LAN had forwarded my name as eligible for entry! Not too bad I guess.

 

[JohnM]

Boarded the A319 on time and priority boarding ('preferente') worked well.

LA Preferente always works well IME.

 

[mimishat]

Bit miffed about the umbrellas on the tables inside the lounge

Nice view over the coast and Andes. Looking forward to the rest of the TR.

 

[amaroo]

Looking good RF ... keeping an eye on your travels from Athens

 

[TheRealTMA]

You may find this interesting RooFlyer

Argentina's Mendoza wine route: top 10 guide | Travel | The Guardian

 

[RooFlyer]

You may find this interesting RooFlyer

Argentina's Mendoza wine route: top 10 guide | Travel | The Guardian

Tremendous story and info, thanks .

Although I'm not in any sort of wine appreciation form today. I've had what I would call a minor cold for the past 2 days; some Codral keeping it at bay. However on the leg from Guayaquil to Quito, my sinus started to play up - not pressure difference type of thing, just began to ache a little.

Clearing customs & immigration at Quito was a breeze and again, I booked a taxi from within the terminal. At this point I need to confess - it wasn't until the day before that I completely focussed on the Ecuadorian currency - there isn't any! The country uses US dollars; they have some of their own coins, but US coins circulate too. I thought originally that it was like in the Bahamas and other countries; the local is on par with the US$ and they both circulate. But no - here there are only US$ notes! The booked taxi cost US$25 for a ride of about 40 minutes, so quite OK. I was outside the airport at about 11:30pm (1:30am Santiago time) and checking in at about 12:15pm. The ride was a combination of freeways, tunnels and back streets.

The Mercure Alameda is, yes, an Accor hotel pretty much downtown, although 'downtown seems to be a loose concept here.

Anyway, after finally getting to my upgraded room I really started to feel crook. My cheek was aching and I was in my dreaded 'second night' where I don't often get much sleep. I decided I had an infected sinus and took one of my antibiotic pills and tried to sleep. Nope. After an hour I took 2 Neurofens but they took ages to kick in. It was a tough night! At 7:30am I asked the reception to find me an English speaking doctor, and headed round for breakfast. The Nurofens were still working, so I was sort of OK, other than being completely stuffed from want of sleep.

Five minutes latter the reception lady found me and said the doctor would be at the hotel in 30 minutes . My day was improving. Anyway, he confirmed my infected sinus and has prescribed some antibiotics and other stuff. US$70 for the visit.

I also had to ask the hotel for a change of room. the first one was large and nice, but it was on the corner, 2nd floor and tremendously noisy from traffic. No problem for the Mercure, and I'm now ensconced in a suite on the top floor 'penthouse' .



It is, however lacking a kettle, and we are having 'issues' there. First request brought forth a thermos type jug. Second request is now about 3 hours old; can't complain though, the staff have been magnificent.

There's a large terrace and the views are great:





After a small orientation walk, I cam back to the hotel for lunch as one of the normal pm thunderstorms was brewing. And here I remain as it bangs and pelts down outside. Time for another pill and a lie down. I reckon today and tomorrow at ease and hopefully I'll be over the worst.

I have 4 days here in Quito; 2 were going to be touring the Volcanoes to the south; that might have to get postponed.... we'll see.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I hope the antibotics kick in soon RooFlyer and you are feeling your old self again You have got to be over that sinus infection to go swimming with the coughies in the Galapagos. xx

 

[TomVexille]

Not much worse than being sick on holiday. Hope you get better asap