I found out when I left Valparaiso that the intriguing corrugated tin houses were all made of ships' containers. V. used to be the biggest port on the coast of Chile, but was superceded by Vina del Mar and something else further north. It went thru its own dead time, but is now back up as a tourist destination. It is extremely scuzzy and dirty, but charming and flower-filled. I saw and heard a propane gas man playing a "Stomp"-like percussion on the gas tanks in the back of the truck.
Its huge port services fishing boats, fishing production boats, tankers, cruise ships, and what looked like naval vessels but we decided were tankers.
I was sad to leave Chile - traveling overground you are part of the country and the people. Getting on a cruise ship, you are definitely part of America/Europe/Britain with crew from all over the world, but in this case, mostly the Phillipines. There are no Chileans on this boat.
But I cannot say it isn't relaxing....it is. So many choices of activities, so many interesting people, terrific food and ambiance. You get to do things you never have time for at home...like make jewelry! I took that class today and made a bracelet of lava and silver beads.
We are on our way to Robinson Crusoe Island, home of the real Robinson Crusoe...a Scottish sailor named Alexander Selkirk. He was put off on this island, and spent 4 years, 4 months, there by himself, with only goats, birds, seals, cats and rats for companions. His father was a tanner and a cobbler, which served Selkirk well in terms of survival skills - he was able to fashion clothing and shoes from the goats' skin.
We will be able to see the cave where Selkirk sheltered, and also the lookout from where he looked each day for ships on the horizon.
The island has 130 endemic (unique to this island) species of plants, 3 endemic species of birds, 1 endemic mammal (the fur seal), and 20 percent of the fish in the area are endemic to this island.
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