San Antonio, Chile
As we continue our journey south towards Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, we made a stop at the port of San Antonio. This is the place where a number of the ship’s passengers leave to return home, or to depart for other adventures in South America.
For those who were leaving the ship today, it was one of early breakfasts, gathering one’s belongings and leaving the ship to connect with transportation to the airport, or to other land based destinations.
We chose to avoid the worst of the early morning hustle and bustle, by staying in our cabin for a while longer and by taking breakfast a little later. After eating, we headed to the pool deck with our books and enjoyed a lazy couple of hours while catching up with our reading. A very pleasant way to spend the earlier part of our day.
After an early but light lunch, we headed for the gangway, hopped aboard the shuttle bus to the port gates and made our way to the sea front promenade. We were ready for an exploratory wander along the very rocky, and exposed, shoreline and into the local town area.
There were a number of vendors along the sea wall, most were selling cheap trinkets from China but there were other more interesting choices on offer. A caricature artist was busy sketching anyone who was prepared to stop for 15 minutes or so, there was a stall where kelp stems and leaves were being offered for sale, rides around the harbour, to see the cruise ship up close, were also on offer, tobacco of suspect origin, and content, was also for sale - ‘very cheap’, and numerous other things that we might not typically see around a market at home.
After navigating through the hustle and bustle of the vendor stalls and the many groups of local folks, we eventually reached the fish market at the far end of the sea wall. It was early afternoon when we arrived and most of the fish, and seafood, had already been sold but there was still much socializing happening among the fishermen and the vendors. Some were drinking beer, others coffee, but most evident was the excited chatter - perhaps about their catch, their productive sale of the ocean bounty or the big shiny cruise ship. Who knows? But for sure, they were in no hurry to be going home.
Outside of the fish market it was equally busy. The small pier was crammed with anglers who were earnestly catching sprats and happily filling their buckets with their shining wriggly catches.
The pier was also the departure, and return, point for the boats taking groups out to see the cruise
ship. All of the folks aboard the small sight seeing boats, particularly the children, appeared to be so
very excited to make the most of their opportunity to see the very large, and fancy, cruise ship.
Our time ashore was so much fun, but passed very quickly and all too soon we needed to turn around
and head back to the ship.
Couldn’t miss the sail away and be abandoned on the dock while waving goodbye to our fellow passengers.
For those who were leaving the ship today, it was one of early breakfasts, gathering one’s belongings and leaving the ship to connect with transportation to the airport, or to other land based destinations.
We chose to avoid the worst of the early morning hustle and bustle, by staying in our cabin for a while longer and by taking breakfast a little later. After eating, we headed to the pool deck with our books and enjoyed a lazy couple of hours while catching up with our reading. A very pleasant way to spend the earlier part of our day.
After an early but light lunch, we headed for the gangway, hopped aboard the shuttle bus to the port gates and made our way to the sea front promenade. We were ready for an exploratory wander along the very rocky, and exposed, shoreline and into the local town area.
There were a number of vendors along the sea wall, most were selling cheap trinkets from China but there were other more interesting choices on offer. A caricature artist was busy sketching anyone who was prepared to stop for 15 minutes or so, there was a stall where kelp stems and leaves were being offered for sale, rides around the harbour, to see the cruise ship up close, were also on offer, tobacco of suspect origin, and content, was also for sale - ‘very cheap’, and numerous other things that we might not typically see around a market at home.
After navigating through the hustle and bustle of the vendor stalls and the many groups of local folks, we eventually reached the fish market at the far end of the sea wall. It was early afternoon when we arrived and most of the fish, and seafood, had already been sold but there was still much socializing happening among the fishermen and the vendors. Some were drinking beer, others coffee, but most evident was the excited chatter - perhaps about their catch, their productive sale of the ocean bounty or the big shiny cruise ship. Who knows? But for sure, they were in no hurry to be going home.
Outside of the fish market it was equally busy. The small pier was crammed with anglers who were earnestly catching sprats and happily filling their buckets with their shining wriggly catches.
The pier was also the departure, and return, point for the boats taking groups out to see the cruise
ship. All of the folks aboard the small sight seeing boats, particularly the children, appeared to be so
very excited to make the most of their opportunity to see the very large, and fancy, cruise ship.
Our time ashore was so much fun, but passed very quickly and all too soon we needed to turn around
and head back to the ship.
Couldn’t miss the sail away and be abandoned on the dock while waving goodbye to our fellow passengers.
Very tight quarters in this port - notice the extremely narrow channel which must be
navigated to get to a berth.
Cargo boat close on the left, and jagged rocks to the right - those powerful tug boats do a remarkable job of pushing, and pulling, large ships into their assigned berth.
Older fishing boat with memorial plaques to remember fishermen and craft
lost at sea.
Crane from earlier times and once used to unload fish, and cargo.
This might be the largest number of fishing boats I have ever seen, in one location.
Southern Fur Seals patiently waiting for fish heads, and other offal, to be thrown
into the water from the fish market.
Dad and daughter fishing for sprats.
Notice all of the gulls looking for fish bits and a free snack.
Imagine the noise made by all of these sqauking birds.
Fishing guys, and the pleasure craft selling trips around the harbour.
Squeeze ‘em in, nice and tight, and off to see the cruise ship.
Great to see that all passengers were wearing PFDs.
Pelicans waiting at a good vantage spot and ready to swoop down on fish bits being
tossed into the harbour, from the market.
Made it in time to enter the port - just have to get through customs and immigration, and then a short bus ride to the ship, and all will be good.
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