The trip is usually from Munich to Madrid. You then change planes at Madrid (this is not the easiest/shortest of tasks) and go directly to Santiago. From Santiago you then change again and fly to La Serena. It's not over yet.... From La Serena you take a taxi to the La Silla Observatory. So, first flight 3 hours, second flight 14 hours, third flight 40 minutes, taxi drive 2 and a half hours. So it can take around 2 days to arrive (with the airport changes, baggage etc).
However, when you arrive at the La Silla Observatory the view alone is worth it. Even from the reception, both the Atacama desert and all the telescopes that are located here are easily seen:
The strange thing when you first come here is that your living quarters are actually hotel rooms. They are maintained and cleaned every day and is even called the La Silla Hotel. It's got everything you need - a bed and a bathroom - the rest of the time you'll be busy observing or eating in the cafeteria.
Also I shouldn't forget to boast about the view from the room...
So that's the first post I had planned. I've got lots more pictures, but I don't think it's worth putting them up without an explanation. The view hasn't got old yet, and I won't stop boasting :))).
