At Santiago, Chile, we docked for some to leave the ship and some to board. It is a very busy day. I booked a tour to Casablanca wineries and it was a nice day to drive out of the city and into the valley areas. We were able to see the vineyards as we drove as well as the distant mountains.
The mountains were very similar to California in that they were dry and barren of trees for the most part. There are some local varieties but not many. A palm tree grew here as well as eucalyptus bushes which were everywhere.
We arrived at the Veramonte Vinyard first for a tasting and learning session. The building was amazing and had spectacular views out to the vines below. Our guide took us through the process of winemaking and out to the vines. We tasted the grapes right from the vines, sweet and lovely. I was surprised how small the grapes were. We saw the vats and learned why each kind was used, including some amphora style for the vintners to experiment with in smaller batches. Then upstairs to that beautiful table for tasting of three wines. Two red and a Savignon Blanc. We preferred the heartiest red and purchased a bottle.
Next we went to the El Cuadro winery which was huge and obviously set up for events as well as wine. We were seated at tables for lunch of sopapillas, a salad, a pork dish and surprisingly a fruit salad for desert that looked like fruit coctail, incluuding the cherries. Not the best ending!!!
During dinner we had local dancers entertaining us with folk dances. It was interesting but not the dynamic group we had in Buenos Aires who were young and vibrant. These were clearly seniors preserving the folk dances. It was nice though.
Back on board we went aft to the deck and enjoyed the sunshine, ending up sitting with the couple we had lunched with. George may be teaching him Pickleball today!
We had dinner in the dining room and met some more cruisers. I am amazed at the travels these people do. We look like hermits compared to some!!
The following day we docked at Coquimbo, Chile and our last port of this country. I had decided we could get to La Serena, a neighboring town, on our own. There were things to see and it is a seaside town. In the dock area we tried to find a taxi that George thought charged a reasonable price to take u 4 miles. The one we found wanted $20. No! A little further on we met a German couple trying to do the same thing. So we bargained again and agreed on $20. for all four of us. Once we arrived at the plaza and got out of the taxi he wanted $20 from each couple...arguing did no good. George was furious and we were disgusted but had little choice.
We had maps an tried to determine our route. I had wanted to see the market area but should have talked to the port guide before venturing here. It wasn't called market and we couldn't figure out where it was. Few street signs didn't help either! So we walked to the Japanese Garden where the Germans were headed.
The garden was nice but not too large, but it did have banos!! Now where? After consulting the map we decided to walk to the beach which didn't seem that far away. Ha!! Fortunately my knee was fine today as we walked for a good 30 minutes toward the beach. Finally we saw the monument and sand. The beach is pebbles and water a bit chilly as it is fall here now. Few were on the beach. We looked around and then decided not to hunt around this town any longer. No taxis were in sight and tour guide said Uber was our best bet for a ride back to the ship. George has set up an account but we had never used it before. Not really the best time to try something new but we did. Our driver arrived really fast, spoke no English and i thought the car was a little fragrant with pot. Just a whiff! In any case, he drove along the shore which was a good view of the sea and got us to the ship in good time.
We had a nice late lunch on the aft deck in the sunshine then took a nap!!
I will post photos separately as this is my kindle and photos are on the phone. I have to log on and off each one and it is a pain. Right now is a very busy time for the internet. We will be at sea for two days then to General Martin port in Peru. We stay in Peru for 3 days so some can go to Machu Pichu with HAl. It is a very quick trip and it will be interesting to hear how they did acclimating to the air. It isn't enough time. We'll be doing some tours and shopping during that time.
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