Puerto Montt, Chile, is our port of call for the day. The city is located up one of the many channels where there are lakes, volcanoes, and glacial peaks. The ship offered some excursions, which were mostly out of town. The most affordable one was a tour of the town and a drive to Puerto Varas and Frutillar for 4 hours for $85. Petrohue Cascades and city of roses was 5 hours for $95. How about horseback riding for 4 hours and $150. Lakes and volcanoes was 8 hours and $170. Petrohue River rafting was 6 hours and $190, while the falls and lake cruise was 7 hours for $195. A taste of Chile with lunch was 6 hours for $210 and fly fishing on the Maulin River for 6 hours was $420 with lunch. On past trips here, we went to the lake and falls and found it very scenic.
It appeared that the weather was going to be foggy and overcast all day. The Volendam dropped anchor in the Reloncavi Sound with a short tender ride to the newly remodeled cruise terminal. By 10am, the fog had lifted and the sun was peeking out. So we left the ship after the thundering herd went off on their tours. The waters of the bay were about smooth as silk, which was nice, especially after that thrilling tender ride we had while in the Falklands.
We did have the ship's map, but the ones they handed out in the terminal were far superior. We remembered that if we wanted to see the fish market and all of the souvenir stands on the way there, we needed to turn left on the main waterfront road. Not much has changed here in the last six years. The sidewalks were still broken up and there were water leaks, which will have to wait for Monday we guess. The area we were going to is called Angelmo, a very historic and bohemian neighborhood. Along the road, there was a string of stalls where locals sell the most useful souvenirs such as wool sweaters, ponchos, hats, scarves and slippers. It sort of reminded us of the Peruvian clothing we found in Lima last year. There were thousands of trinkets as well and locally-made jewelry. One keepsake was a miniature pizza oven or stove with a chimney. It appeared they were used to burn incense inside of them with the metal chimney putting out the smoke.
Because today was a Sunday, the vendors were setting up their stands later. We would check out their things on the way back. At the market, we walked through the fresh fish stands with everything seafood imaginable. Some types of shellfish were a mystery to us, but there were plenty we recognized. Salmon is the number one fish sold, along with a wide range of shellfish. All of which one of us is extremely allergic. At one end of the market, there were jars of accoutrements to go with the fish products. Fresh produce and rounds of cheese were also for sale.
But the best part of this area has to be the patio outside the market, where some of the local seals line up to get the scraps. These seals are described as Patagonian sea lions. We sat on a bench far above the receded water line and watched as three seals sparred with each other. Surrounding this area are a number of restaurants. Some are fast-food type cafes while others have sit-down service. Their menu choices included chilote stews, cazuelas, fried empanadas, and seafood stews. Take-away items looked like bay shrimp salads and shellfish bowls. Locals would purchase these bowls at side tables outside the market, and sit on the benches along the waterfront here.
This was the best place to see a variety of birds and some wildlife. We saw a pair of most unusual ibis, terns, Dominican gulls, and many smaller cormorants called neotropic cormorants. There are Magellanic penguins nearby as well as humpback whales, Peale's dolphins, and by the lakes, there are greater egrets, lapwings, black-necked swans, and crested caracaras. We did see flocks of a type of vulture along with some smaller hawks.
It was getting more crowded by the minute with local families coming to eat lunch here. So we slowly headed back checking out the souvenir tables along the way. Copper jewelry was being sold at a few tables, but their prices were too high we thought. And the vendors were constantly polishing them, which is something I do not need to do. One item I was searching for was a larger coin or pill pouch, which we found at the stalls closer to the pier. It was a whopping $2 USD. Useful and easy to pack. We will see a lot more of these items when we reach San Antonio.
If we had the time and energy, we could have walked to downtown. However, we have been there and knew we could not find a place to eat lunch, except for maybe in the mall called Ripleys. And that was more like fast food. We had noticed while watching the downtown area from our veranda, there was a lot of activity near the mall and church. Thinking it was a riot or protest, we felt better not to go there. When we got the nice map in the terminal, we asked the tourist info gal what was happening at the mall. She laughed and said that was a typical Sunday morning thing with the locals, and never a protest. Good to remember. Later in the day, we saw a bike race happening in the same area. Sundays are big for recreation here.
Going back through the terminal, we did the xray check where both of us set off the alarm. My knee always does it, but why for Bill, who knows. Could have been his camera in his pocket. They just told us to continue through anyway.
The gangway was as steep as it could get due to the low tide. But boarding the tenderboat was easy peasy. We were back in our room before 2pm where we ordered room service for lunch. Of course, it was the best time to download photos until the all onboard time of 4:30pm.
The Captain always comes on at that time, but today he was a half hour late. He said they were lifting the anchor by 5pm while waiting for the final tender to arrive with a late tour group. Lucky the Captain waits for these excursions to return, which does not always happen. We have 609 nautical miles with a speed of 17.2 knots to reach the next port of San Antonio, Chile. We used to dock at the nicer Valpariso, but it appears that the smaller ships go there these days. The Captain expects a nice day at sea with the temperatures in the 60's.
Tonight the Super Bowl would be televised and shown in the World Stage and also in our suites. Unlike all of the games we have been to on every world cruise, the timing on this one was far later. Pregame activities begn at 7:30pm which is dinner time for many of us. So the dining room had few people there from what we could see. Our guess is that the Lido was busy right after we left the port. Not all that hungry, we had one salad, and a bowl of chicken ginger soup. Mains were one rack of lamb, and one lasagna. Both ample servings, we still had room for sliced watermelon and a small berry panna cotta.
Super Bowl LX was televised in our room like promised. Congratulations Seahawks! Tomorrow will be the final sea day of this first segment.
Bill & Mary Ann
