2013: Day 17, Coquimbo, Chile

Coquimbo, or Quiet Waters.

We were a little delayed in landing due to the late departure of a couple of container ships but that didn't shorten our day by much. This is a walk-off friendly port which is great for the crew and for passengers who just want to wander the town a bit. We went over to the next bay and took a look-see at that and caught a bit of the history of the area from our guide.

Then we headed up the beach drive past condos, apartments, bistro hotels, cabanas to rent and restaurants. One stop along the way provided a quick look at the beach then off again on the road. After a scenic 70kn drive up the mountains in the Elqui Valley we came to the Capel distillery and there experienced a tour of the plant followed by a taste of their Pisco liquor.

Then it was a short hop into Vicuña village with it's narrow streets and busy Arma de Plaza, or central square. Lunch had been arranged for us in a local restaurant and afterward we wandered the square looking at the many street vendors wares along the way.

We reversed course and drove the 70km back to La Serena for a whirlwind tour of the Museum of Archeology for a look at shrunken heads from Ecuador, pottery from Chile and an original Moai from Rapa Nui (Easter Island.)

Then a dash down the street to La Recova market. We weren't doing much to help the economy today but did buy fresh cut flowers for our cabin.

Arriving back at the pier ½ hour before “all aboard” we caught the last two bars of music from a brass band on the pier. A little after 1700 we were tugged off the pier and tugged and tugged. It was a tight spot at the pier and we were bow in and had to be pulled sideways then pivoted bow out. By 1800 were were securely under way with blue sky and blue seas.