Portillo as it happens....

Right folks, a blow by blow account of what happens for the next week or quite possibly in my case; what doesn't happen )

Firstly, getting 2 heavy bags and a small carry on to here with a knackered shoulder took some doin'. However the flights were excellent if a little delayed. 2 hours from Frankfurt to Madrid, a quick trip to the lounge for a G&T and a smoke then back to the rather spacious and comfortable world of the new LAN business class for the 13 1/2 hour leg to Santiago. Longest flight I have ever done, and funnily enough the second most comfortable after Singapore Airlines business class, really excels ovcer Air France and Lufthansa and is better than BA, so I was a happy boy. Also the selection or Chilean and Argentinian red they were plying me with was excellent and complemented the two dinners I had as I was on both legs of the same flight...lol


Enough space to pitch a tent.

So upon arrival at Santiago, and one hell of a bumpy decent over the Andes. I fly frequently, but if I am honest I was a wee bit jittery!! Through immigration and customs at a breeze to find my driver who was a really sound fella more than happy to chat the 2 1/2 hours in English and command a healthy tip :)


Number 9 of 28 Switchbacks

So upon arrival, bags collected from car and check in took about 3 minutes, room was ready at 11.45am which surprised me. Everything was a little chaotic to be honest, but this was compensated by the sheer number of staff on hand to facilitate. Room is a little worn, but has everything you need, and when you consider the location, age of the place and route by road to get here it's not surprising.


One bed for afternnon nap, and a fresh one for a good nights kip


No cat swinging in here, but has all you need including a deep bath
.....which I am standing in!


Everything is self contained. They have nightly boot check and ski/board check, full rental and service facilites. From what I have seen so far, efficient, no queues and friendly.

Bit overcast this afternoon but the setting is magnificent, I am so looking forward to seeing it in the sun and getting some decent piccies.

So first couple of hours in, bathed, watered, not too tired and ready to see what happens at night.... food, drink, dancing and altitude sickness no doubt ) which reminds me the bathroom has a wee first aid kit which constitutes of 2 Asprin, Alka Seltzer and a Band Aid, my kind of place!!!! will report as it happens and update with pics.

tino :mrgreen:

Have a great time, cant wait to see the pics

In my first season in N., my scouse mate took a fast tumble and broke his shoulder. However, he needed the money, as we all did, and two days after the shoulder was plastered, he was back instructing, just using one stick.

While I might do that on skis, don't even go there with a snowboard.

More importantly how is the head Tino?

I hope you have a great time Tino, keep us updated :D

Dave Mac wrote:In my first season in N., my scouse mate took a fast tumble and broke his shoulder. However, he needed the money, as we all did, and two days after the shoulder was plastered, he was back instructing, just using one stick.

While I might do that on skis, don't even go there with a snowboard.

More importantly how is the head Tino?

Head is fine Dave, pain-wise that is. Nowt much you can do with a fracture to the skull. Even a helmet will only offer cursory protection from the original incident. Shoulder is more painful after 26 hours travelling and hauling, but I still have some beefy (osteoarthritis) painkinllers from when I did my ankle on the Tux earlier this year, they might come in handy )


Hangover anyone?

I have no doubt slow and sensible snowboarding on easy runs will be fine, it's the lifts etc that will aggrevate it. So a bit of rest and relaxation is the order of the day, and see if I feel up top a begginer run or two at the back end of the week, just to say I have done it )

Cheers Rose, Bandit )

Just been down for "onces" or high tea if you like and had a chat with the restaruant head, says he will put all solo travellers together for Lunch and Dinner which is handy. Gonna get a nap in before dinner at 9.45pm!!

Adios!

Have fantastic time fella 8) 8)

Ian Wickham wrote:Have fantastic time fella 8) 8)

Cheers Wickers.

Jetlag totally clobbered me last night, went for a nap at 6pm and didn't wake till midnight, missed dinner and the band. Headed down to the nighgtclub to see if it was worth having a wee drinky to help me sleep through till this morning, but decided against it. So up now and waiting for the sun to rise so I can take some shots of it!

Now with added pictures!