Geysers: Take 1

This morning saw us wrapped up in umpteen layers, while wrapping ourselves around a cup of coca leaf tea, in the dark and chilly 4am desert morning. We were waiting for a bus to take us to the Geysers del Tatio - exploding plumes of steaming water that erupt from the earth into the dawn air. They are best viewed early in the morning, when the temperature differential between ground and air is at its greatest, making for a spectacular display. Therefore, most tour buses leave at an otherwise unconscionable hour of the morning.

Sadly, owing to a miscommunication between the two offices of our chosen tour company, our particular bus failed to turn up at all. Calling up revealed that it had already departed for the geysers - without us.

Sad we were, indeed. After returning briefly to bed, we decided to make things all better with a second visit to the gem of a restaurant, Quitor.

Entrada

Opting for the three-course menú del día, we were once again presented with a feast for the eyes as much as for the mouth. A starter of mote blanco risotto, made from the large white corn kernels and cheese, was sumptuous.

Plato fondo

The plato fondo followed a similar pattern to our last visit, with a juicy crêpe stuffed with vegetables and algorrobo in a creamy, cheesy sauce.

Postre

The beautifully presented postre saw algorrobo served three ways. A small algorrobo tart was spread with a syrup of the atacamenian fruit, and topped with an ice cream of the same.