Museo Historico Nacional Gaucho dancer spins his spurs

Religious dancing at Santiago's cathedral holy day.

One of the dancers at the religious festival on Santiago's holy day.

Since travelling from Valparaiso to Santiago by bus, we have spent an enjoyable couple of days taking in the city sights. We visited a heap of museums, including the National History, Pre Columbian, Post office (ex governor's palace and presidential palace) and the Basilica de la Merced with its Easter Island artefacts. We loved the main square around which these buildings are located with the fountains, jacaranda trees etc.

The cathedral was very interesting as when we visited it on Sunday, it was a holy day and the dancers included bears (not real ones), devils(?) etc and statues being blessed. I don't think even the pope could understand South American catholicism.

We also climbed a local mountain/hill that included forts, fountains and young Chilean lovers. We celebrated our ascent with an ice cream!

Jean departs for Sydney and we head off for Easter Island the next morning.

Valparaiso

Our hotel in Valparaiso. We have a wonderful view over the harbour. The little balcony on the left is ours.

Toy cars in the central square.

The MS Veendam departs.

Our cruise has come to an end and we are back on dry land although it seems to be rocking a bit. It could be our sea legs adjusting or it could be that we are in Valparaiso, one of the shakiest cities in the world.

Still lots of evidence of building damage from the earthquake earlier this year. Our accommodation is a quaint old converted teahouse, perched precariously on the hillside. The views are spectacular, including at night where it looks like fairyland.

We have been on several walks around the city, travelling down by ascensor - a bit like the scenic railway. Ours was the first built in 1883 and still going strong. They are all over the city which is built on the side of a very steep hill.

We have visited the churches and squares, public buildings and small outdoor markets.

We particularly like the district around our hotel which has a bohemian feel rather like Montmartre in Paris. There are lots of old mansions converted into small hotels and restaurants. There are many artisan's workshops and painters displaying their work. The place has a real buzz.

We are off to Santiago today.

Puerto Montt - Old German Homes

Another new jetty idea for Conjola

Robert at the grindstone

Early settlers' pram
.

The two volcanoes on the other side of the lake became visible in the afternoon from the ship.

Photos from Punta Arenas , Darwin Channel and Broujo Glacier

Magellan penguins. Obviously not as cold as we were!

Sea lions in the Darwin Channel

The Broujo Glacier

Ice totally surrounded the ship.

Photos from Ushuaia

Backdrop to the city of Ushuaia
.

The Five brothers,,,,,,,,,.very cold brothers!

The end of the Pan American Highway.

The Horn panorama

Cape Horn is actually on the Southern most island of South America

We were fortunate to have clear weather and moderate seas so the ship was able to go in close to The Horn.

Anti Whaling

20,000 whales killed by one gun..how many in total?