Please excuse the MacArthur-like analogy but, 1 year, 7 months and 14 days after beating a hasty retreat from Chile in the face of a global pandemic, finally we “have returned” ! Never in our wildest thoughts ( back in March 2020 ) did we expect we would be away that long. Fortunately, the time back in Kelowna was quite productively spent and the upside was that it was wonderful to re-connect with so many friends and family during our time at home. But, global travel is most definitely back “on” and we are genuinely thrilled to be on the road again ( well, almost ! ).
On November 4th, after a tortuous, stressful, circuitous and incredibly tiring 44 hour journey from Kelowna, BC, Canada, we landed at Santiago International airport in Chile. Trust me when I say there were days when I wondered if the world would ever get back to ‘normal enough’ for that to happen. For those ( like I ) who have been engrossed in how the world has tackled COVID, Chile ( after a very rough start ) quickly moved into the big leagues and tackled the vaccination of their population with gusto. Currently one of the most vaccinated nations in the world with almost 80% fully vaccinated, they are actively doing 3rd shots ( boosters ) and have opened up to foreign travel, albeit with some fairly rigorous requirements. As such we feel comfortable being here and have now seen first hand how impressive and organized their process is for ensuring foreign travellers do not risk the success they have had in fighting COVID 19. Travellers need to be double vaccinated, compete comprehensive declarations on-line prior to arrival, have adequate medical insurance ( covering Covid ) and be prepared for 5-7 day quarantine on arrival ( waived if you pass an obligatory, but free, PCR test on arrival in the country with results delivered in a maximum of 24 hours – ours came in 9 ). For the first 10 days in the county you complete a daily attestation as to your health with a simple an easy to use app. So, they pretty well have it all covered ! The airport process was well organized, friendly, and easy to navigate. Slick……..
Readers who have traveled on long, multi-stop international flights in the new COVID world will know what I mean when I say – air travel sure isn’t what it used to be. Unquestionably the most drawn out, nerve-wracking, tiring, bureaucratic and at times painfully frustrating experience we have ever endured during our many years of air travel and we are certainly glad it’s now behind us. The stress multiplier, these days anyway, is the need for a negative PCR ( Covid ) test taken before you leave home and now required to enter many countries ( Chile being one such). The labs take 30-48 hours to provide a result ( in our part of Canada anyway ) and you ( typically ) need to be in the destination country ( or at least on the last flight sector to that country ) no later than 72 hours after the test was taken. When you consider our flight time ( with layovers ) was 34 hours you can see that it gets a little, ummm, shall we say….tight ! I won’t bore folks with the intimate details but a heads up to those planning long, multi- sector, international flights now that the world is opening up – it’s a nail biter, and make absolutely sure you have all your ducks ( or should I say “docs” ) in a row. Not for the faint of heart.
We had anticipated some of this and to ease the pain of the extremely long return journey, and the associated rigorous COVID protocols, we had at first decided to overnight in a hotel en route to Santiago. Sadly the 72 hour rule precluded that ( our PCR tests would then expire before we arrived ) so the only other option was a business class flight ( getting soft, I know, I know, but we convinced ourselves we deserved a break ). And hey, we had the points, why not use them ? Pretty reasonable on a one way flight actually. Those delightful airport lounges, and very comfy fully-reclining, wide seats on the plane really made a difference this time (though I am concerned Lois may get used to it ! ).
Now that we are back in Chile, we are excited to complete the Pan American highway ( destination Ushuaia ) and beyond that further exploring in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and possibly eastern Bolivia. Our goal is to do that by April / May next year. It’s unlikely we will tackle the Guyana’s – a loooong way north and having lost so much time to Covid ( and with a wedding coming ) we just have to make some decisions on what our travel priorities are. More on that in the months ahead but our immediate plan is to travel Chile’s legendary Carretera Austral and other parts of Patagonia en route to Ushuaia. It’s tremendously exciting and has always been one of, if not THE, primary goals of this whole journey.
On a more personal note, I mentioned a wedding above. Lois and I were thrilled to learn that our daughter is getting married in September 2022 so that means we will almost certainly be back in BC all through our Canadian summer next year helping plan that. The plan beyond that is to continue overlanding later in September next year and we are currently weighing up possible destinations – so many countries, so little time.COVID cooperating of course !
Stay tuned, and thanks for staying with us during COVID- I hope this finds all our readers well and, like us, chomping at the bit to get on the road again…………! I’ll close with a few pics of our first couple of days back in Chile, spent around Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso. We expect to pick up the truck on Sunday this week and start heading south right away.
Congrats on getting back on the road you guys. Look forward to your updates.
Hi Ernie,
Nice to hear from you and thanks for connecting. Let’s hope there are no more pandemics to stop us !
So happy all is well and your so back on the road
Thanks guys !
Fantastic! I got the popcorn and ready to hear about adventures!
Ha ha ha…..well, we hope to have some good adventures!
Nice to hear that your travels have resumed. Hope you find your truck in good order when you are finally reunited on Sunday. We found Valparaiso & Vina Del Mar so fascinating too. In some respects it was like turning back the clock. Santiago was such a big city – Daz & Bec lived there for a few years. Loved the road south from there to Patagonia. Enjoy your travels…..
Thanks Anne, looking forward to it. Hear lots of good things about the road south.
So happy you guys made it!!!! How exciting for you to be back on the road. Cheers xoxo
Thanks guys ! It was a nail biter getting here but worth it.
Thanks Laura. Hope we can catch up with Linda and Lou in January- it just may work…😊
Glad your on the road again.looking forward to reading your travel blog as you venture forward with your travels. Great to see you’ve circumnavigated the COVID path and are now cleared to travel. Safe travels and look forward to hearing from you again.
Thanks Dan and let’s catch up in Spring when we plan to return.
Thanks Dan, great to hear from you ! Hope you guys are well too and can get going south soon.
Good to see you two back at it! And congratulations to Jackie!
Thanks Norm, and yes she is full time into planning it all as you can imagine…! Hi to Kathy.
Great to hear two of our favourite people are back on the road. Enjoy you two!
Oh my goodness!! Jackie getting married!!! That’s such happy, happy news! I’m just thrilled.
Happy Birthday to Lo xxx
Take care out there guys.
Lots of love Rox
(Once you’ve tasted Business it’s hard to go back behind that curtain 😱)
Yes, Roxanne, that is my worry…Lol !
Hi Lois and Jeff. Don and I are so happy to hear that you are “ back on the road again”. We’re looking forward to “ arm chair “ travelling with you as you continue your adventures.
Hi Jeff and Lois. Don and I are happy to hear that you are “ on the road again” and look forward to your blogs as we “ arm chair travel” along with you.
Good to hear from you guys…! It’s great to be back here and the welcome so far has been incredible !
Lois and Jeff, finally let the adventures resume ! Looking forward to reading all about it. Safe travels you two. Happy Birthday to Lois !
Thanks Scott, have passed on the good wishes !
So glad to see you’re back on the road with the Patagonia ahead ! Hope the truck is as you left it. And big congratulations to Jackie. Wonderful news xx
Hi guys !
Pass on the kind words to Jackie, and yes we are thrilled to be down here again. So far not many other foreigners around though !!!!! Truck seems to be well, flat battery aside ( to be expected ).
Hi Jeff & Lois,
Finally back on track!
Hope you will enjoy a COVID-19 free last part of the trip to Ushuaia. NL is expected to tighten the measures again next week 😝
Looking forward to your new stories!
Kind regards,
Mark
Hi Mark,
So nice to hear from you, but sorry things are not going well re COVID in NL. It’s really amazing how different it is in different places…get them all vaccinated, seems to have made a big difference here ( although they still have outbreaks of course ). Hope our paths cross again at some point..!
Hi, happy to see you back in action. We met in Columbia at an outside bar, a town in the coffee country. Love seeing your posts. Robin Miller
Yes, I recall our meeting- Salento if I am not mistaken ? Thanks for following along, hope that you can also get on the road again soon !
Nice to hear you are back at it. I cannot wait to be travelling and enjoying life as you are my count down begins – April 2022…..
Safe travels!
You will love it and congrats in advance on your pending last days at work ! Hi to all at the branch.
Great to see you guys made it! After a two hour wait for luggage in Maui and many friendly locals to make the painful experience better, the passengers cheered and we were all excited to begin our vacation! Have a great week and look forward to the next update.
Sounds familiar – nothing is easy anymore ! Enjoy Maui!
So glad you are back on the open road!! Safe travels!
Thanks Katie ! Hi to the gang at OP !
Congrats on returning to the world of travel. Can’t wait to read about your adventures and seeing the amazing pictures!! WOW!!!
PS: Hope you had an awesome Birthday Lois!!! Cheers 🙂
Stay Safe and Take Care!!!
Jennifer
Thanks Jen ! It’s wonderful to be back here !
I was waiting for an update as to when your adventures would resume, glad to see you’re back at it. Looking forward to reading all about it in the coming weeks/months. Interesting to read how you have to navigate the PCR timelines, that’s a little nerve wracking.
All the best and safe travels.
Hi Jonathan,
Nice to hear from you ( say hi to your boss, Kelly, for me as well ).
Yes, it was nerve wracking. But we made it and are starting to journey south as I write. Hope you are having a great year, let’s connect Spring/ early Summer when we return. Love to catch up !
Lois – your mom called and told me you guys were off and running again!. I look forward to travelling alongside you and cheering you on. Safe travels. Laurie
Thanks Laurie and hi to the family !
glad to hear you guys are back on the road. Enjoy the journey. I will be following your trip from my work desk :(.
Work desk…? Victor, get back in the 4Runner and get back on the road !!!!!! Lois says hi !
So great to see you guys back on your amazing adventure! You have mastered so much with all your travels and now you can add how to navigate the nuance of international covid travel! Santiago looks so bright, beautiful and open. Sounds like foot loose and fun days ahead along the Pan American Highway and beyond. Looking forward to next posts and pics. Cheers to safe travels & congrats to Jackie and Barrett !!!
Great to hear from you Terri, hope all is well at your end. I don’t know about”mastering” covid travel, it still seems to throw us regular curve balls ! But yes, it has been fun and here’s hoping borders don’t shut all around us again with this Omicron thing. Lo says she will write/call you soon.