Sun, Jun 23 - Driving to San Pedro de Atacama

We all met up in the dining room for the breakfast buffet overlooking the pool and ocean.  There are quite a few sights to see in Antofagasta, such as the leafy central plaza with its Big Ben clock built by the Brits who made millions from the nitrate exports, but unfortunately we had to leave.

Old Antofagastan Building

   However, as we got into our car, a long train of railroad cars loaded with huge sheets of shiny copper chugged by - very impressive!

Copper-laden train

  We set off at 9 AM with Hilary driving. Luckily we stopped at a gas station and stocked up on snacks and water, as there was little on the way to buy.  The weather was cool with high fog as we headed north on the coast road. 

There was no sign of vegetation on the coastal plain, but we could see some huge cacti high on the hillsides to the east. The coast varied from wide beaches to waves crashing on high sandstone cliffs, with occasional ramshackle fishing villages and small summer villas.  We reached the mining town of Tocopilla after 112 miles and turned inland.

We hoped to see some vegetation as we climbed into the mountains, but except for some tiny bushes at 1000' there was no sign of plant life!  As we passed through the inversion layer into clear blue skies, the temperature suddenly rose from the fifties to comfortable seventies.  We climbed to 9000', entered a wide plain and  the city of Calama which is a center of the copper mining industry and an economic stronghold.  After gassing up we got thoroughly lost and crossed back and forth through the town before finding our way out and on towards San Pedro de Atacama.

We gradually climbed up to 11000' and finally started seeing a little green fringe on the ground - wonderful after hours of brown sand! 

We stopped and found a few tiny red wildflowers and small mounds of cactus.

And then Cait spotted a few grazing mammals which turned out to be our first Guanaco of the trip!  

Guanacos

We soon reached San Pedro at 3:30 PM, 158 miles from Tocopilla, with Hil still driving!  It’s a lovely small town of winding streets lined with adobe walls and houses and nowadays lots of hotels and shops.  We drove a short ways out of town and found Planeta de Atacama, our perfect small hotel! 

Our Room At Planeta

 
We were greeted by Juan, the owner, who showed us around to our lovely rooms, all of which have a spectacular view of Volcán Licancabur (and great wifi!). 

Caitlin and I enjoying Coca Tea on the Planeta's Porch

The dining area has coffee and tea available at all hours, so Cait and I made ourselves tea with Coca leaves and relaxed on the terrace.

View from Our Rooms

We drove back into town at 5:30, found the town center, and wandered around, finding the Aura Andina Cafe where we had a pleasant dinner of beers and steaks, before returning to Planeta to star gaze at the amazing sky here with a beautiful Southern Cross and brilliant Milky Way, and to bed.

A Herd of Sheep blocking Our Way into Town!