Today our port of call in Chacabuco, Chile. Why, you ask?? Nature. Nature. Nature. Almost the entire bottom half of Chile is national park or preserve. Sprinkled along the Chilean Fjords are small towns or cities who's origin are either historical navigational stops or an access port to an inland area. In this case Chacabuco is the main port for the region of Laguna San Rafael Nationl Park, one of the may parks located in southern Chile.
We were originally scheduled to be in the port by 7:00am. But the Captain informed us last night that there was a critically ill passenger that would be transported to hospital from Chacabuco. So we would be spending the night anchored in the bay. Other than being told about the medical emergency, no other information about the passenger is provided...as it should be.
So this morning we are in no rush to get out of bed. Why is it that I'm up by 5 every morning at home. But on this ship I can sleep past 8am? We're dressed and head up for a bit of breakfast. Then back to our cabin to pick up our shore items - backpack, jackets, gloves, caps, etc. And we are on shore shortly after 11 am. We are scheduled to meet our Princess arranged excursion group at 12:30 so we have plenty of time to explore.
Seriously, there is nothing in this town. But we are determined to find a corner store with a bottle of wine for sale. Tony speaks to some local law enforcers who point us down the street, one of two that are visible from our location, and we take off on our treasure hunt. The first corner store does not have a liquor license, so we continue another block down the street and hit the jackpot at the second store. Here is our $11 worth of Chilean wine. Will let ya know how it goes down!
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Our Chilean Wine purchased for $11
at the corner country store of Chacubuca |
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| The little white building on the corner is the "corner store". |
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| The streets of Chacabuco |
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| Housing in Chacabuco |
The rain and wind has started up again, so we head back to the port to wait for our tour bus. We will be visiting Parque Aiken del Sur, a private park with it's own hotel and tour service. Even though the park entry is less than 20 miles from the port, our first stop is at the visitor's center for one last chance to use the facilities. We're then dropped off at the trail head where we hike toward the waterfall named Old Man's Beard which is fed mainly by glacier melt.
Along the way our tour guide, Pablo points out native plants and entertains us with local stories or folklore about how the plants have been or still are being used. It was quite interesting. But I can't figure out why nobody's capitalized on the numerous natural cures for cancer in that forest.
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| Pablo, our tour guide |
It's been misting steadily since we've gotten off the bus. The forest acts as a natural umbrella, but the mist has turned in to steady rain and we're getting a bit damp, only to get wetter when we climb the observation deck for the falls. Pablo informs us that the steady rain for the past month has increased the flow considerably. We pose for quick pictures and we get even wetter from the mist of the falls.
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| The Falls |
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| Tourists at the Falls |
We head back to the trailhead were we pick up another trail that takes us to the park lodge. We are greeted with Pisco sours, served local specialty appetizers and entertained by young dancers who perform the Cueca.
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| Folk dancers performing the Cueca |
Warmed, both inside and out, fed and entertained, we re-board the bus, head back to the pier and tender back to the ship.
At 6:30 we meet our travel buddies for a Super Tuscany Wine Dinner. Joining us is Margaret & Berndt from Australia. We met them at the Wine Maker's dinner a few nights ago and enjoyed each others company so much, we invited them to join us for the Tuscany dinner. And they did!
We had great expectations for this dinner because we enjoyed the Wine Makers Dinner so much. Unfortunately, this was much less intimate, the food was less to our liking, and the wine wasn't as free flowing as our previous dinner. Now that's a bummer! But we still had a great time enjoying each other's company and two hours later we all push ourselves away from the table and head up to our cabins.
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Carpaccio di Polipo
Thinly sliced Octopus - It was good. |
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| One of the wines served |
Farewell Chacabuco. We're glad to have the chance to meet you.
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