Viñha del Mar and Valpariso

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.