Today was very long...travelling is not for sissies! We started our journey at 6 o'clock in Pretoria, South Africa, and headed towards Johannesburg and the OR Thambo International airport. .. Our flight was delayed because six guys travelling with us were booked under false passports and their luggage had to be removed. From the plane I could see the Richtersveld of Namibia and the western coastline of Africa

The Brazilians cheered as we landed ...thankful after a flight with a lot of turbulence. Brazil is green and lush from the air, and you could recognise the poor areas and richer areas from the plane. In Sao Paulo we were escorted from the gate onto our connecting flight...at total of 17 hours in the air and lots more waiting...BUT we are here and that is all that matters!

Santiago! At 8pm there are people everywhere in the streets, shopping eating out, walking around. Buses travel up and down...we do not understand one word they speak (In S.A. shops close no later than 7 o clock at night and after that you will seldom find a lot of people in the streets...no wonder I am surprised!)

Our home for the next few days will be the Crown Plaza. Kevin teaches me how to send an email.....can you believe that there was a time when I did not know how to do it...when I read this in my diary I had to laugh!

OK I have to explain. This is a business trip combined with a holiday. Kevin , my husband is here for a Geotechnical Conference and I tag along...so in between we will be having a bit of a holiday...for me it is just one holiday!