Antofagasta, Chile. Excursion: Antofagasta & Surroundings.

After a short drive from the ship we were dropped off at the small historical port which was used to ship minerals out of the city as well as being a fishing port.  After taking some photographs we headed towards Antofagasta Railway Station. 

A friendly dog joined our group as we left the port and we walked to the old train station.  We were able to go inside the old sleeper train carriages – first class and second class carriages.  Our four-legged companion also came inside too, for a looksy, but he was ushered outside.  So he sat in the shade and waited patiently while we walked around the railway grounds and looked at some old steam engines.

As soon we set off towards Plaza Colón the dog faithfully joined us again and, once at the park, made friends with another dog but kept an eye on us in case we moved on.  Plaza Colón is a small park-like square with fountains (in which pigeons were having a bath at the waters’ edge), a gorgeous bandstand and a lovely old clock tower.  Outside the square was the Old Customs House and a Cathedral. 

We had a few minutes to spare while waiting for the bus so were able to go inside the cathedral for a brief look.  The dog followed us from the square to across the road but, respectfully, didn't come inside the cathedral but patiently waited outside again.  When we eventually got on our bus he gave us a parting glance and trotted off to find some more friends.  Our guide told me that  dogs tend to be very sociable here.  If someone is friendly towards a dog – it will follow them all day, everywhere (if it can) until the person goes home and will protect them until the end point; and then it will go home back to its owners.  A bit like a personal bodyguard.  Nobody minded the additional 4 legged guest and they thought it was sweet.

After a short drive we arrived at the Huanchaca Museum & Silver Mine where an anthropologist talked about the history area and the mining history until the collapse of the industry era.  The mine machinery was then dismantled and transported for use at other mines.  Unfortunately we couldn't go inside the silver mines but could see them from a distance, from a viewing area. 

PHOTOGRAPHS

Historical Port

 

Our four pawed friend came to join us.

Antofagasta Railway Station

Plaza Colón

Antofagasta Cathedral

Huanchaca Museum & Silver Mine

Views of Antofagasta from the Prinsendam

Iquique, Chile. Excursion: Humberstone & Pintados Geoglyphs.

With hardly time to recover after the last few days, I was off out again to explore.

As the tour group headed out of Iquique, passing huge hill-like sand dunes, our guide mentioned sand surfing competitions are held in the dunes.  Wow! So... anyone who wants to go sand surfing - Chile is the place to go!

Our journey took us to the Atacama Desert to visit Humberstone which is now a ghost town.  The former mining town was where caliche was mined and processed to make saltpeter (potassium nitrate), which was used to make fertiliser.  The industry eventually collapsed and the town was deserted during the 1960's.  It was interesting walking through the town; visiting some of the places such as the school, theatre, hotel, etc.

Our next stop was at the Pintados Geoglyphs which are huge displays of native art in the hillsides; depicting birds, humans or abstract shapes.  It was very interesting.  It was very hot outside but almost everyone was up to taking a walk outside the bus and along the path to get a better view of the unusual designs.

We had a boxed lunch, at a campsite, on our way back to the ship.  By then we were hot, thirsty and hungry.

It's been a very interesting day!

PHOTOGRAPHS

Humberstone

Pintados Geoglyphs