Coquimbo - sea port, La Serena - local town, Chile

After leaving Easter Island we sailed for four days in a south-easterly direction and, just after dawn on the morning of the fifth day, we tied up at our berth in the industrial port of Coquimbo (pronounced Cokimbo), which is located on the coast of northern Chile, 400 km south of Santiago.
After our several days at sea, we were seriously ready for a few hours of walking and exploring a new place, and just being free to do what we pleased. We had previously arranged for a self  guided walking tour in a local town of around 160,000 population, La Serena, and hopped onto our coach at the port.
The town is located approximately 30 minutes drive to the north of the port area and we were soon free to enjoy our stroll. The day of our visit was a Sunday and, in this predominantly catholic community, the vast majority of businesses, public buildings and shops, were not open. Certainly not a bad thing for us as there were few people around and even less traffic, which minimized our risk of being run over, by a vehicle, in a moment of touristic inattention.
We exited our coach at the Central Plaza, which was almost deserted, and noticed that an artisan market was being set up to open later. We decided to head out and return with sufficient time to visit the market, before catching our bus back to the ship.
La Serena is a modest town which is laid out on a square street grid and thus is easy to find one’s way around, without getting lost.
While we were out and about, the predominant sound we heard was the ringing of church bells, and the most common occurrence was of ‘street dogs’ sleeping wherever they chose to.



The Central Plaza - Sunday 10:00am.
The Courthouse.

Unfortunate about the graffiti but otherwise very nice door - entrance to the courthouse.

An unusual water fountain in the downtown area.


We discovered a covered market while out walking, which was probably the most busy place in town at that time.

Home made candy and treats stall in the covered market.

Christine found a very affectionate and friendly cat which was very obviously very well looked after.

Street dog taking some shade and a local just chilling

Street dogs sleeping wherever the want  - mostly they are very passive and quite friendly.

The Central Plaza around 1:30 in the afternoon - not vey much different to when we arrived.
Sunday’s are very quite in this locale.

Geraniums grow so very well here - perfect climate perhaps.

A few more folks are out and about, around the plaza, and the policemen came out to keep their eyes on everybody.

The most popular spot in the Central Plaza while waiting for our bus to arrive.
Ice cream, cold drinks and coffee stand, and very strategically located, might I add.

G

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