Japanese version

Hi, this is Fe@NJ, who has passed Second Grade of Timetable Test in Japan.

We participated in a tour of “Chile, a trip with a total eclipse observation” (seven days and three nights) (June 29 to July 5, 2019). I was really impressed by the wonderful celestial show that will be a lifetime memory!

<<Chapter One>> Prologue / Boarded Premium Economy

The flight time to Chile in South America (Chile) is approximately 12 hours (Boeing 777 aircraft) from Tokyo – Narita (Japan) to Dallas (US), and, in Addition, approximately 8 hours from Dallas to Santiago (Chile) (Boeing 787 aircraft). Furthermore, about 6 hours are required by northbound bus from Santiago to Coquimbo where we stay. Thus, considering not only the long, one and a half day, trip on one way basis but also overcoming both time and climate difference (in winter, Chile!), it is my understanding that physical fitness and condition are extremely important next to life and passport.

From the above-mentioned view, we selected the Premium Economy class for the first time in the entire flight this time.
Let me show the difference from the Economy (in the case of Boeing 787).
Note that the premium of the airfare was around 300,000 yen per person.

①Premium Economy

Abreast：2-3-2
Seat width：18.5in (47cm)
Seat pitch：38in (97cm)
Priority boarding：Group 4

②Economy

Abreast：3-3-3
Seat width：18.1in (46cm)
Seat pitch：31n (79m)
Priority boarding：Group 5 and under

Premium Economy’s wider shoulder and knee rooms are welcome compared to Economy’s. However, it is not the semi Business class, since it is the premium Ecónomy class.

 

<<Chapter Two>> The City Center of Santiago (June 30, 2019)

③Equestrian police officers
It looks good with European-style cityscapes on Plaza de Armas, in the old town of Santiago.

④Market landscape
1 USD ≒ 680 CLP (Chilean Pesos)

Although Japan is far away, it is the export destination for a large amount of marine products, and Japan and Chile are mutually friendly countries.
In Chile, we often find Mitsubishi and Suzuki passenger cars.

⑤One dish for three?
It is the lunch on the day of arrival in Chile.
This fish dish, but one serving is equivalent to three servings in Japan.

 

<<Chapter Three>> Move to the Eclipse Observation Site

⑥Pan-American Highway
Chile National Route / Ruta 5 is a part of the “Pan
-American Highway” which runs across the Americas.
As mentioned, it takes about 6 hours from Santiago to Coquimbo of accommodation, three nights from June 30, by northbound bus. Furthermore, it is another 2-hour drive to Cachiyuyo of the eclipse observation site.

⑦The memories of Chilean heater (?)
It is noted that one heater (center of the image) covers the entire flat villa with two bedrooms. Turn the gas plug and rub the match to ignite. There is a gas cylinder in the space behind the heater. At night, as it was near freezing, as well as insufficient heating capacity. I slept with shaking.

Incidentally, the heating in the bus and the restaurants felt very weak.

 

<<Chapter Four>> Brilliant Total Eclipse (July 2, 2019)

⑧The X Day
On the X day, we left the hotel at 6 o’clock in the early morning and headed for Cachiyuyo.

The observation site is along the highway, a flat ground of the ruined hotel in the back of the restaurant. On the other hand, sheep, goats, chickens, horses, etc. are reared in large numbers. Some of these are the ingredients of the restaurant.
The weather is fine, the best condition for the observation.

⑨Five Minutes to the Total Eclipse!

【Shooting Data by Compact Digital Camera】
⑨～⑪: f/6.3, 1/250 sec., ISO-1600
⑩: Equipped with a filter for eclipse observation

⑩Entering the total Eclipse! (16:39)
The beautiful “Diamond Ring”

⑪Climax!!
The duration of the total eclipse is instantaneously only one and a half minutes.

⑫The sky during the eclipse
Looking up at the sky, you can find the end of the moon’s umbra (shadow) that causes a total eclipse.

 

<<Chapter Five>> Epilogue

⑬Let’s international exchange with Pokémon
In Chile, it should be noted that you can catch Heracross’s, limited within Central and South America. Wild species do not always come out, so actively use the function of “nearby” or get it by “exchange” with local Pokémon trainers. At the time of the exchange, you will be greatly pleased if you pass Farfetch’d (Kamonegi in Japanese), which is limited to Japan. Other regional limited Pokémon’s, but also Illumise’s and Chatot’s were caught.

 

Now, special thanks again for the organizers and participants of this tour.

Regards and see you next time♪♪