🛫 First stop of my South American adventure: Easter Island, here I come!
The first leg of my epic journey across South America brings me to the enigmatic Easter Island. The experiences along the way have been a mix of exhilaration and exhaustion.
✈️ Flight route and duration
My journey began in Beijing, with a total flight time of about 30 hours and a cumulative layover of 10 hours. The trip involved three transfers: in South Korea, Los Angeles, and Santiago. The layover in South Korea was a mere 55 minutes, making it extremely tight. Although my luggage was checked through to Los Angeles, the sheer number of people at security made this connection a bit nerve-wracking.
If possible, a 2-hour layover would be much more comfortable. In Los Angeles, the immigration process was quite lengthy, with a queue that took about 2 hours. We had a 6-hour layover here, which provided some much-needed rest.
🛂 Immigration experience
Upon entering the U.S., the customs officers asked detailed questions; if you don’t understand, you can politely decline to answer. I came prepared with printed EVUS and connecting flight tickets for the customs officers. At Santiago, the process was smoother. You need to provide an island entry application form, round-trip tickets, and hotel accommodation receipts, but there’s no need to fill out an additional entry form.
Instead, you receive a PDI slip. A word of advice: make sure to confirm your stay with your Easter Island host in advance, register on the official website, and obtain the island entry record form. After exiting the international terminal T2 in Santiago, head to T1 for the domestic flight to Easter Island.
At the security checkpoint, take the right lane for boarding to Easter Island, where you will receive another PDI slip, which will be collected at the gate. The entire process was surprisingly smooth.
🧳 Luggage situation
I packed a 38-liter bag, which, after being filled, measured 60 cm in length and weighed 8.5 kg. This leg of the journey was hassle-free in terms of luggage, allowing me to focus on the excitement ahead.
The first day’s itinerary was jam-packed, and although it was tiring, the anticipation of exploring the mysterious Easter Island made every moment worthwhile! I can’t wait to share more adventures from this incredible place.
