Friday, 3 February 2017

The end of the first leg


The visit to Coquimbo was not the best. Summarising the advertised programme, the microphone on the bus wasn’t great, the lighthouse was invisible due to an event structure around it, the churches were all locked up, the craft markets were full of Chinese imports, the museum was mostly closed for renovation and the Easter Island statue probably never existed. A great curiosity of the town was the mosque which sat on one of the many hills, dominating the skyline. There are few muslims in Coquimbo and the building was said to be the result of a ‘cultural exchange’ with Morocco. Diva wondered cynically how much money was involved in the ‘cultural exchange’.

But …. TSH and Diva saw their first actual live llama.

TSH and Diva are not late night people. They are normally early to bed, early to rise and first into breakfast. But they made two exceptions. One night they attended what is for Silversea a different kind of show. This one was all about country music and featured songs by Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash et al.

The second late night, which also worked very well, was dinner in the Stars supper club. Taster menu of five courses with three taster dishes in each, so no choice. TSH ate the black pudding, frog’s legs and prawn, none of which would be his usual choice. Diva only nibbled at the frog’s leg and left the foie gras and quail’s egg. The jazz singer and pianist completed the atmosphere.


Throughout the voyage, there have been regular flypasts of many pelicans and regular sightings from the Silver Spirit of marine animals such as whales, dolphins and sealions. One night the sea was a little rougher but there were no problems for TSH and Diva.

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