December 11,

We both were awakened by our alarms! This was intentional so we’d be up at 0415. We slept well, and readied. We caught the 0500 shuttle and arrived at the Miami airport.

    Today starts our second chapter:  South America, Antarctica, and Central America.

At the check-in counter, we had an issue…it seems we needed a booking out of Chile! This must be new. We had to leave the desk. Jeff tried to book a bus ticket – didn’t work. So he quickly booked a temporary airplane ticket. We got back in line and tried the check-in again… the lady messed up our tickets and had to redo them! Finally we got our bags checked in and through security by 0615. This was a potential problem as boarding had started at 0600!! We arrived at the gate and went right in line to board. By 0630 we were seated. Whew! But all that scurrying about did not matter, we backed out late at 0735! I don’t know why, but it must have been fixed. Our takeoff was at 0746!!

In-flight – the food and beverages were only available if you paid. This surprised us as it is an international flight! We just ate the last of our carrots, grapes, and Chex mix with water. We both napped some. There were two or three turbulent times – just enough to warrant buckling our seatbelts. Thankfully that was all.

Around 1045 we descended into Bogota, Colombia. We just have a layover here – landed at 1051, and disembarked at 1100 on the tarmac. On the bus into the airport, through security and found our Priority Pass lounge, El Dorado. We went in and ate as we were starving! We posted a blog and spent a couple of hours relaxing. This lounge was under construction and was very narrow but stretched out.

Anyway we left the lounge to our gate and boarded by 1550. Again we were delayed. The plane was supposed to have taken off at 1620, but we didn’t takeoff until 1725. There was a problem with the tires – we were told this time. We remembered this issue from before with Airbus 320 planes. Anyway, this was a long 7.5 hour flight. Again only pay food and drink service available. This is crazy! You even have to pay for water!! Thankful for the lounge in Bogota! Flight was no problem. We landed at 0058, technically on the 12th. 

     Welcome to SANTIAGO, CHILE!!!

Jeff procured an “Official Taxi.” I guess it’s a common practice of non official taxis to swindle people! The drive through the city left us with a good vibe! Yeah! Anyway we arrived at our Holiday Inn Express for one night. Jeff had booked it with points. The reception guy was helpful, super courteous and just pleasant! We got up to our room and crashed by 0230, which was 2330 in Kansas. WHEW!!