We got up and on our way at eight but we hadn’t far to go as the border with Peru was just up the road.
The process took two hours and lots of standing in line but we got through it in good order as usual. We had been worried Peruvian immigration might be upset about us coming back so soon but I explained we’d gone to Chile for spare parts and could we please have 30 days as we’d only used 60 of our initial visit. They normally give you 90 days but expect you to stay out of the country for another 90. We’d done 60 and been out for 20…I guess it helps to speak some Spanish as she gave us 60 days, which was very cool of her. We hope to be in Brazil in a couple of weeks. The customs guy got a bit confused as I had a new passport since my last entry and I had to pull out my canceled passport and explain I had renewed it. I’m not a mechanic or a plumber or handsome but I am handy with communication (if you know Red Green you know what I mean). Rusty’s entry papers were no trouble at all after that but when the inspectors checked our vehicle they were focused on him having his papers. Every inspector who came by GANNET2 saw Rusty and asked if he had been checked in…You never know what will grab their interest which is what makes border crossings exciting. Last time they took his cookies and never checked his entry permit but this time they took a sealed package of cooked ham while letting Layne keep the cooked hot dogs we use for treats for Rusty. It’s all so random at the border. So off we went and I’ll tell you it isn’t nearly as thrilling when you know what to expect down the road ahead, but it was still satisfying to have made another successful border crossing in good order . We got gas at $4:30 a gallon, a buck cheaper than Chile’s heavily taxed regular gas. We went up the coast for the glorious ocean views before turning inland to Arequipa.
But the road down to the coast was also spectacular in its own desert way. I love driving so I have no idea how I survived twenty years in Key West at the end of one solitary highway. But first, lunch, at a cost of $6:75 each including apple juice outside the port city of Ilo.
The main course was beef though we might have liked fish there is no menu: you get what you’re given. Thus we were set to continue to Arequipa four hours away on a lovely afternoon drive.
It soon became obvious thanks to Google Maps’ time/distance calculations we would not arrive at the campground before dark. The clock went back an hour when we crossed the border but sun sets at 5:35 in Peru. We don’t normally drive at night but needs must when the devil’s driving. It’s a great saying but I’m not sure what it means…
The tunnel was barely tall enough for the truck ahead of us.
The sign is a public service announcement from your friendly Peruvian trucker and it says don’t use your cellphone while driving as your family is at home waiting for you.
The ladies onboard swept back the tarp and waved and smiled at us but I liked the hand photo.
He was excited to get back to the campground and started whining when he realized where we were, grass, privacy and cool night air. He was happy.Dinner was late but he woofed it and passed out.
