Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage, Coquimbo, Chile... Part 2 of 2

I was up early; before sunrise for the sail into Coquimbo, the gateway to Chile...the start of the day was very dark, cool and overcast similar to our last visit in 2020. Ann, Cathy and I went to the cruise terminal, cleared immigration, and had a surprise reunion with Claudia, a former Holland America Shore Excursion Manager. Claudia now lives and works as a tour operator in Chile. Outside the terminal gate we met our guide Paulina and our driver Wilson…. another reunion as we toured with Paulina and Wilson in 2020. First on the agenda was a drive to up to Herradura or Horseshoe Bay and the park dedicated to the immigrants arriving in Chile. We then drove through the English Quarter of Coquimbo to Fort Lambert. Built in 1865 to protect Coquimbo from Spain and then the Pacific War with Peru. The fort offers a nice view of the southern entrance of the bay. Today, the Fort serves as a memorial to the soldiers that lost their lives in the wars. Climbing through the steep and winding streets of Coquimbo passing many colorful houses, wall murals, we arrived at the Third Millennium Cross. This cross and chapel commemorates the 2000 years of Christianity...The cross is 93 meters high making it the tallest cross in South America and gives a great panoramic view of the city of Coquimbo. Leaving Coquimbo, we headed La Serena where we did a walking tour. Our tour took us to the Plaza de Armas, surrounded by churches, shops and La Recova craft market. Leaving the downtown area, we drove to the beach to see the El Faro Lighthouse. We followed Avenue Del Mar, the coastal road connecting La Serena and Coquimbo back to the port. We stopped at the Huentelauquen Restaurant and Bar on Avenue del Mar but they were closed…. such a disappointment, the Huentelauquen has the best empanadas ever. Wilson our driver recommended Don Chuma restaurant, so we stopped there for delicious queso empanadas. Returning to the port area, we had our driver drops us at the fish market and we made our way back to the ship along the Malecón. We looked in the fish market and spent some time watching the sea lions resting on the rocks...it was a good day in Coquimbo and La Serena.  Thanks again to Paulina and Wilson for showing us around the Coquimbo area.  When it came time to depart, I went out and took some photos as we left Coquimbo... It was a great day!!!