Chile
Puerto Madero to Colonia
13/01/10 22:53
Today's forecast was for NE winds 17-21 knots backing W and then SW. I had cleared customs yesterday so we set off for immigration and the prefectura. All straight forward and we were back on board ready to go by 14:10 which meant we had to wait until the bridge opened again at 15:00.
Approaching the exit to Puerto Madero with the bridge just starting to open.
It closed as soon as we were through.
ARA Libertad in Puerto Madero.
Yacht Club Argentino.
It was a fast sail across will with 22-32 knots of wind on the port quarter (NW). More short steep seas and we only used between 2/3 and full yankee.
However, as the crew discovered, progress was not uncomfortable.
We covered 30 miles in just over 5 hours, a very fast passage for Kiriwina. At Colonia there were only 2 vacant buoys and with NW7 over a long fetch in fading light it was a job to pick up a buoy. At the third attempt we made it.
The combination of wind over tide made for a very uncomfortable motion on board. We went ashore for dinner after which Nancy and Erica opted to sleep in a hostel.
Approaching the exit to Puerto Madero with the bridge just starting to open.
It closed as soon as we were through.
ARA Libertad in Puerto Madero.
Yacht Club Argentino.
It was a fast sail across will with 22-32 knots of wind on the port quarter (NW). More short steep seas and we only used between 2/3 and full yankee.
However, as the crew discovered, progress was not uncomfortable.
We covered 30 miles in just over 5 hours, a very fast passage for Kiriwina. At Colonia there were only 2 vacant buoys and with NW7 over a long fetch in fading light it was a job to pick up a buoy. At the third attempt we made it.
The combination of wind over tide made for a very uncomfortable motion on board. We went ashore for dinner after which Nancy and Erica opted to sleep in a hostel.
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Viñha del Mar and Valpariso
05/01/10 22:23
We stayed at Hotel Quinta Vergara. At C$30,000 (£36) it was towards the cheaper end of the market and a bit tired. But OK for one night.
This morning we lingered in Parque Quinta Vergara and visited Palacio Quinta Vergara dating from 1910.
One one side of the park is the spectacular rebuilt Anfiteatro de la Quinta Vergara.
Stage.
Concrete seating area.
Entrance.
We liked this colourful park.
A short walk away from the park is the Viñha del Mar stop on the Valparaiso/Limache Metro. To travel one must first buy a swipe card (C$1,000/£1.20) and charge it. We put C$2,000 on and our trip to Valpariso cost around C$500 each.
Sculpted albatross seen from the Metro.
Valpariso commercial port. Most of the ships loading in port appeared to be reefers loading agricultural products.
A gaggle or tourist boats. We took a 20 minute private launch trip around the harbour at a cost of C$10,000 (£12). With hindsight the larger public launch at C$1,000 per person looked much better value.
New year fireworks barges.
Sociber floating dry dock.
Valpariso is also a large Chilean naval base.
Support ships:
LST-92 Rancagua outboard and
LST-93 Valdavia Ex USS San Bernadino
Frigates
FF-19 Almirante Williams Ex HMS Sheffield
FFG -14 Almirante Latorre
FFG -15 Almirante Blanco Encalada
Frigates Type 23
FF-05 Almirante Cochrane Ex HMS Norfolk
FF-06 Almirante Condell Ex HMS Marlborough
FF-07 Almirante Lynch Ex HMS Grafton
Cruise liner Star Princess.
Valpariso container terminal.
Harbour view from our lunchtime restaurant.
Cancy at our nautically themed table.
Wrought iron detailing on the naval memorial fence. Valparaiso.
Valparaiso trolley bus.
We took the Metro back to Viñha del Mar and caught a coach to Santiago. The Santiago metro is one of the cleanest I have seen. Trains are even cleaned at terminal stations on turn-around. This company appear to hold the cleaning contract. Well done them.
Back at home birthday girl Sofia with uncle Seb.
This morning we lingered in Parque Quinta Vergara and visited Palacio Quinta Vergara dating from 1910.
One one side of the park is the spectacular rebuilt Anfiteatro de la Quinta Vergara.
Stage.
Concrete seating area.
Entrance.
We liked this colourful park.
A short walk away from the park is the Viñha del Mar stop on the Valparaiso/Limache Metro. To travel one must first buy a swipe card (C$1,000/£1.20) and charge it. We put C$2,000 on and our trip to Valpariso cost around C$500 each.
Sculpted albatross seen from the Metro.
Valpariso commercial port. Most of the ships loading in port appeared to be reefers loading agricultural products.
A gaggle or tourist boats. We took a 20 minute private launch trip around the harbour at a cost of C$10,000 (£12). With hindsight the larger public launch at C$1,000 per person looked much better value.
New year fireworks barges.
Sociber floating dry dock.
Valpariso is also a large Chilean naval base.
Support ships:
LST-92 Rancagua outboard and
LST-93 Valdavia Ex USS San Bernadino
Frigates
FF-19 Almirante Williams Ex HMS Sheffield
FFG -14 Almirante Latorre
FFG -15 Almirante Blanco Encalada
Frigates Type 23
FF-05 Almirante Cochrane Ex HMS Norfolk
FF-06 Almirante Condell Ex HMS Marlborough
FF-07 Almirante Lynch Ex HMS Grafton
Cruise liner Star Princess.
Valpariso container terminal.
Harbour view from our lunchtime restaurant.
Cancy at our nautically themed table.
Wrought iron detailing on the naval memorial fence. Valparaiso.
Valparaiso trolley bus.
We took the Metro back to Viñha del Mar and caught a coach to Santiago. The Santiago metro is one of the cleanest I have seen. Trains are even cleaned at terminal stations on turn-around. This company appear to hold the cleaning contract. Well done them.
Back at home birthday girl Sofia with uncle Seb.
Viñha del Mar
04/01/10 21:18
After breakfast at Blanca's we took a collectivo taxi to the metro. A collectivo taxi is a car/van that operates a bit like a bus. It cruises a certain route picking up passengers along the way for a fixed fare of C$500 (£0.60p).
We took the metro to Pajaritos where we booked a coach to Viñha del Mar.
The excellent coach service C$3500 (£4.20) took us straight on to the Autopista and then down Ruta 68 to Viñha.
On board information system.
Vineyards on the outskirts of Santiago.
Viña Indomita.
En route.
Valley of palms, approaches to Viñha del Mar.
Switchback road down into Viñha del Mar.
They plan for Tsunamis here.
View from our room at Hotel Quinta Vergara overlooking Parque Quinta Vergara.
After a quick change we caught a city bus out to playa Renaca.
It was quite cold with an offshore wind, red flags and a good surf running.
Petrol prices in Chile.
.
Petrol 95 £0.70p per litre.
Diesel Ultra £0.54 per litre.
We took the metro to Pajaritos where we booked a coach to Viñha del Mar.
The excellent coach service C$3500 (£4.20) took us straight on to the Autopista and then down Ruta 68 to Viñha.
On board information system.
Vineyards on the outskirts of Santiago.
Viña Indomita.
En route.
Valley of palms, approaches to Viñha del Mar.
Switchback road down into Viñha del Mar.
They plan for Tsunamis here.
View from our room at Hotel Quinta Vergara overlooking Parque Quinta Vergara.
After a quick change we caught a city bus out to playa Renaca.
It was quite cold with an offshore wind, red flags and a good surf running.
Petrol prices in Chile.
.
Petrol 95 £0.70p per litre.
Diesel Ultra £0.54 per litre.
Alto Las Condes
03/01/10 21:00
A late start saw us get a lift with Seb to the Metro where we caught a train to Escuela Militar and then took a taxi to Alto Las Condes Shopping.
it was time for lunch and we went for an Indian. The best I've had since leaving the UK. Not so for Erica who suffered a little later in the day.
After a bit of shopping in this very large complex we took taxi/metro/taxi down to La Florida to spend the evening with family.
it was time for lunch and we went for an Indian. The best I've had since leaving the UK. Not so for Erica who suffered a little later in the day.
After a bit of shopping in this very large complex we took taxi/metro/taxi down to La Florida to spend the evening with family.
Santiago - New Years Day
01/01/10 23:48
We spent new years day in Santiago. At late breakfast followed by an afternoon lounging around the pool.
Disheveled hair and breakfast.
The dogs full of energy.
Erica at the pool.
Nancy.
Sebastian and Majo.
Disheveled hair and breakfast.
The dogs full of energy.
Erica at the pool.
Nancy.
Sebastian and Majo.