Thursday 28th
February 2013.
We overnighted from
Valparaiso in calm seas to the sea port and city of Coquimbo. It was another
cold and fog shrouded day of about 18 degrees.
Coquimbo is a small
seaport situated on a large bay, built on crumbling hills and consists mainly
of poor shanty town areas around a main city which is not much better. This is
not a very nice place, and it’s only claim to fame appears to be a large cross
monument on the hillside above the shanty town area. However a 30 minute bus
drive takes you to the larger city of La Serena which has a population of
190,000 people.
As the offered shore
excursions were not to attractive destinations, we opted for the shuttle bus
drive to La Serena for a morning land excursion. It was a nice morning once the
fog lifted, and the drive was along the scenic harbour shore.
La Serena is the second
oldest city in Chile, and dates back to the year 1544 when it was established
by the Spanish where it acted as the gateway to Peru. The city has 29 churches
and is centred around the beautifully landscaped Plaza de Armas. The city,
although old, is generally well maintained, clean, and easy to find your way
around. The visit was well worth the time and effort, but an area which does not
lend itself to a special visit.
We now have two sea
days before we reach Lima in Peru which is the jumping off point for our four
day tour of Manchu Pichu.
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