Weeknote 151

New Year's in Arica and highland adventure

• We saw in the New Year in Arica with a three-course dinner by the beach at Rayú. There were no fireworks, as the planned display was cancelled due to safety concerns, though I don’t mind—these days I much prefer the idea of drone light shows, quieter and far more environmentally friendly.
• Last week brought my first taste of Chinese-Peruvian cuisine, known as Chifa. The dishes were generous and delicious, with the pineapple chicken and egg fried rice my favourite.
• On Saturday we rose before dawn for a guided tour of Chile’s Highlands, climbing to an altitude of 4,500 metres. The thin air left me slightly breathless, but the long, winding journey from Arica was rewarded with breathtaking scenery and occasional sightings of llamas and alpacas.
• Now I’m looking forward to the week ahead, exploring Chiloé Island in southern Chile.