Day 8 – Tuesday, February 3, 2026

I guess my campground did not make it to my list of favorite ones, it does have its merits. It is located midst of wetlands and it is paradise for ornithologists. You can also go kayaking, hiking and at the beach, surfing. So you might want to stop by Santiago Waves.

My goal was (and is) to head towards the north, so I left early, around 8 am. First, I had to backtrack 7 km to reach the main road - and thought I would soon be at the coast itself.

How wrong I was. The road to the coast, then even parallel to the sea, was a true roller-coaster. I would slowly push upwards, drop down close to sea level and the drill repeated itself.

For the 105 km I rode (nothing special), the ascent was over 1,150 meters - and that following coastline. (I will try to post the elevation profile). It was a pretty ride, though, with eagles soaring above (probably thinking that sunburnt slow rider could become their prey...) and of course the blue vastness of the ocean.

I made it to a large town called Los Vilos. Right when I arrived, three local girls welcomed me - and I must have been cooking red, they gave me a sunscreen as a present. Then I visited a local bike shop, there were so nice, they treated me with water and cookies. It was time for a dip at the local beach. I asked a young girl selling ice-cream if she could mind my bike- it turned out she spoke perfect English (which is not too often around here). To thank her, I gave her a box of cookies (no, not the one from the bike shop, they were in my belly), she was so moved, she started crying. Then she treated me for some ice-cream. Quite amazing, these Chilean people. Where I live, such generosity and kindness is almost completely absent.

The day was not over yet, I decided to push further, more inclines, needless to say. I got to a very cool campground at Playa Chigualoco. There was a small bistro not far and the young lady serving me gave freshly baked warm bread as an extra. Gracias!