Having sailed from Puerto Montt, we headed for the port of San Antonio which serves as a ‘ secondary’port to the larger Valparaiso.
The passage to the open sea took us through the “Canal’ Chacao, a narrow stretch of water with strong tidal streams and, for the time being at least, a ferry service across the passage, however they are now constructing a bridge from the Isla Grande de Chiloe to the mainland. The “canal’ on the map is where the “5” is, south of Pargua. The lowest height under the cables (in the centre) is 55 meters, which is our ‘air draft’ too and as a consequence, we took a course nearer the northern pylon support, which gave us adequate clearance.
Approaching the narrowest section
A construction ‘island’ in the centre of the channel
As with many of these Chilean ports on this coast, they are often affected by the weather, in this case, Pacific swells which can be extremely large. San Antonio had actually been closed to shipping the previous week; a large swell, running into the port, which had made it impossible for ships to load or unload cargo, they would have simply battered themselves alongside the wharves. We were fortunate, the swell was still in the basin, however it was nothing we couldn’t handle. We breathed a sigh of relief, we had that fuel to bunker, (load), stores to take and re-cycling material to land; a very busy day.
A container ship on the opposite berth and our bunkers arriving in the harbour
..and alongside
Meanwhile, on the quay, it’s all ‘hustle and bustle’
There are even harbour-tour boats
Looking across the harbour as we sailed, the promenade packed with cafes and people
Having left the harbour, the sea, full of jellyfish.
I had plenty to do on board, the ladies however were off to Valparaiso and once again, I post the ‘roving reporter’s’ photos.
As is the norm, makeshift stalls abound
The Naval Academy
A funicular ride to the top, overlooking the city
Looking down from the Gran Gervison Hotel
Town square
The wall murals are quite famous in South America
After walking, the ladies were in need of refreshment, a vineyard seemed an apt place to go:-
Kingston vineyard
Now I write from the Pacific, heading west towards Easter Island; we intend to arrive off the main tender harbour of Hanga Roa just after sunrise on the 16th, I’ll have to see what the day brings us.
From Charlotte – bon voyage towards Easter Island – recalling 7 pm aboard and seeing about 150 still ashore
On our trip there together. As tough a day as that was for you and the crew, it was profoundly satisfying for the guests to have the memory of that experience
But safety first
Question- do you log water and air temperatures and compare over the years at sights?… any comments
About frequency of more difficult weather perhaps?
Dear Captain, I’ve disembarked the MS Amsterdam after a trip of a lifetime from Montevideo to San Antonio. Indeed, Antarctica is the most beautiful place on Earth and I’m so grateful to have been on your ship to see it for the first time. I, like you, will return. And now, back home and eagerly awaiting the return of my land legs, I’m grateful to have found your blog. Whenever I heard those three tones on board I would stop whatever I was doing and listen to every word you uttered. Now I can relive the most magical experience by reading your words and seeing what you saw. “Thank you” is the best I can offer, but please know I will remember you always. Kindness.
Wishing you smooth sailing across the Pacific, and good luck with Easter Island!
What an absolutely fantastic trip you are driving. What a way to retire!!!