Feb 16 Coquimbo Chile

Another new country.  Neither one of us has been to Chile before, so another list item checked off.  Chile is not a rich country, long wracked with political turmoil.  Add to that the northern part is desert, and the image is bleak.

We dock in a harbor surrounded by fishing boats, and not containers as is normally the case.

 Our tour was into the Elqui Valley, a wine growing area made possible by irrigation from water of the Elqui River.  Our guide was Marlet.

 Coquimbo is a resort town, with Argentinians and other South Americans coming during the summer.  There are beachfront condominiums and resorts, and a middle class neighborhood.

 Water towers with Indian art.

 Here are the irrigated vineyards that power the local alcohol industry -- not wine, but pisco which is distilled from wine.  Pisco sours are the drink of choice in both Peru and Chile, and Elqui Valley supplies the need.

 A dam on the river to help with the irrigation.  Notice the bathtub ring, indicating the pool is about 10 meters low.  This area is a desert, but the mountains have had less precipitation than normal the last couple of years.

 Elqui Valley is also famous for having the clearest air on earth -- very little moisture.  There are a number of observatories scattered throughout the region, most well up into the mountains at 3000 meters. 

 We visit the Capel Pisqueria, a factory for pisco,.

 First they make wine, then they distill it using copper pots like the one above.

 In the nearby town of Vicuna we stop for a quick lunch of empenadas.

 Later as we drive to the town square of Vicuna, we pass this restaurant.  I would think the first menu item is something that you could find just about anywhere, and for free.  No need to pay.

 Town square of Vicuna

 Street art -- carved tree stumps

 Local inhabitants were happy to see us

 Back through the desert towards the ship.

 On this Sunday many families were tending to the graves of loved ones.

 Handicraft market near the dock.

 Coquimbo's only mosque, serving the 7 Muslims in the region, all of whom work at the mosque.  This was apparently built by a Middle Eastern prince for the country.

 Not to be outdone, nearby is a large cross, complete with elevators to take you to the viewing areas in both arms.