Because we had to leave around noon, and the only excursion that
would get back in time was the 5:30 am Geyser trip that we did yesterday (and
we certainly weren’t getting up that early again), we had only one option, the
spa. We are not big massage people, but
decided that after the last two days activity level, a relaxing morning sounded
good. It was also included in the
package, so we went for it. A really
good idea! We first had a neck, face and
scalp massage while sitting in the hot tub followed by a great back massage and
lastly a foot massage. We were feeling
pretty good as we made it to the final sop, the sauna. Afterward there was a nice area to relax with
some juice and fruit. Maybe we have to
rethink this massage thing?
It was finally time to say farewell to Alto Atacama and the
wonderful, attentive staff. Though this
was not our first choice for hotels here, we couldn’t imagine having been any
happier elsewhere.
 |
| Calama Airport |
Our return flight to Santiago was uneventful, and we were picked
up by a representative from VAYA, the company through which we booked, and
whisked off to our hotel, the Lastaria Boutique Hotel. On the way I phoned our friend, Alejandra,
and arranged to meet at the hotel.
Rhonda, Milt, Molly , and Dave got there in the morning and were waiting
for us when we arrived. We had about 30
minutes to get ready for dinner, but made it down to the lobby just as
Alejandra arrived. Alejandra is a
professor of Orthodontics at the University of Chile here in Santiago and is
one of the sweetest, bubbly people you will ever meet. She came with her husband, Oskar, and adopted
son, Diego (an engineering student at the university here), with a
Suburban-sized vehicle that seated 8 (and we were 9), so we all squeezed in
(seat belts be damned) for the ride to the restaurant and the tour of Santiago
that Alejandra gave along the way.
The restaurant that Alejandra chose for us was Cocco’s, a Peruvian
restaurant specializing in seafood.
We
let her order for us (thank God), and the food was amazing. For appetizers we had ceviche, an octopus
dish in an olive sauce, and grilled prawns.
All were amazing. Each couple
shared a main course since we were pretty full after the appetizers. Jeri and I had a delicious sea bass with a
spicy garlic sauce. Diego had grilled
octopus which he shared with us and was excellent.
Everyone seemed to enjoy there meals, partly
due to the fine dinners, partly the wonderful company, and partly due to the
excellent wine that Oskar chose. We had
never met Oskar, but he was a wonderful host and very interested in all of us,
especially David. He, as David, does
some developing, though on a much smaller scale, so they had a lot to talk
about.
I cant’ leave talking about the restaurant without mentioning
the bathrooms, and the Chilean’s sense of humor. These are the signs for the restrooms. Need I say more?
We had all agreed to pick up dinner for our hosts, but
unfortunately, Oskar had other ideas and due to our language handicap, he
grabbed the check and paid for dinner for all of us. We put up quite a fuss, but he and Alejandra
would hear none of it and we were forced to be appeased by them offering to let
us take them out when they visit us.
Alejandra’s son may be living in Boston, and she and Oskar are looking
at property in south Florida, so we may all be able to reciprocate.
Back to the hotel for a good night sleep. Tomorrow we are off to Torre del Paines in
Patagonia.
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