Red-eye Day

Route: Arica - Santiago de Chile - somewhere over the Atlantic
Time: 4:15am - next day
Highlights: Although we went to bed early 4:15 is early to be woken. A short shower does the trick of feeling awake (but doesn't get rid of the red eyes), while Ross from the Sunny Days is preparing a breakfast for us. What a great service. And we can enjoy his orange jelly for a last time. The taxi arrives over-punctual at 4:55. Peter packs his last things away and we are on the short 15' trip to Chacalluta. At 5:20 the airport is deserted, probably I am lucky that the doors are open. The flight is scheduled for 7 o'clock.
At 5:55 - after going over my only magazine for the fifth time - the check-in counters of LAN Chile open up. First in line, YES (I feel as if I was trying to get an iPhone the first day of sales). After I had to dump my century old clay chips (see day ???) at the hotel as I was fearing my baggage would be too heavy, I am relieved that I "just" have 21 kg (I damn these terrorists that forced the airlines to adapt all regulations, how can anyone get away with 20kg). Of course that doesn't include my 10kg carry-on luggage (of camera, batteries and other electronic gadgetry). Actually they should take into consideration the weight of the passenger - I am sure I lost a pound or two...
LAN Chile is very reliable, we have a short stop-over in Antofagasta were we arrive at 8:05 and take off at 9. Shortly after we land in Santiago at 10:35. There is no time for a a trip into town (not that we miss it) as we leave again at 12:15 after going through customs. We're set for a 12.5 hour flight. While the LAN flight operated by Iberia is comfy (and leg room is sufficient) there is only some dozing possible - luckily the film program is poor so I try to sleep as much as possible.

Tip of the day: Try to get a seat on the left side (letters A, B) to get the full views of all the mountains you have seen from below. You may have to do this when you book the flight as they couldn't change it for me.
Tip of the day 2: If you are taking the plane at the airport Chacalluta of Arica, you definitively do NOT need to be there 2 hours before. One is more than sufficient. Ross told us so, but I wouldn't listen and planned too much safety into it... And the cab ride is just 15 minutes and the fare is about 10 USD (5000 pesos).

Intermezzo: It's a tough start for Peter today. As we are approaching the airport he realizes that he misses something. So he takes the cab back to the hostal where he finds that he doesn't miss anything, so back again. Luckily there is plenty of time! Later on at the gate he cannot find the boarding pass, so back to the line at the check-in. He makes it for the flight no problem and can relax for the next hours and enjoy the fantastic views of the Cordillera.
Temperatures: No indications as we spend the day in an airplane.
Hotel: Seat 35 H on a Airbus
Restaurant: nothing worth mentioning from LAN Chile or Iberia