Originally when we planned this holiday we had allocated today for a boat trip to see penguins. However as we had already done that on Tuesday, and given the boat journey was six hours there and six hours back, we decided to pass and walk down to the port and promenade.
Having been chilled to the bone yesterday, we togged up warmly and walked down a few block to the sea front. Given it was the longest day, a Sunday too, there wasn't exactly hundreds on the prom. Just a few hardy fools, like ourselves, braving the elements.
At one end of the bay we could see a ship with four mats rotting away. The promenade, like that at Ushuaia, is full of public works such as an outdoor gym. We'd seen one of these before in Antofagasta and commented that it was too hot there to use. The problem was the opposite here.
The wind was gusting and at some times, it was a struggle to stand up.
One couldn't get access to the port, but its gateway was marked by an old clock in a poor state of repair. There was also a huge plastic whale tail.
Further on there were the remains of a couple of pier, not rotted away but home to several birds, including imperial cormorants and brown headed gulls.
Even further on there was a Café rather optimistically hiring out bicycles. This was next to an impressive sculpture of a boat's bow complete with flag waving colonialists, drowning sailors and mermaids.
Turning round to head south, the full force of the wind hit us, blowing sand into our faces.
Heading inland for some respite, we came across the obligatory statue of Arturo Prat, complete with his sword.
In town everything was shut for lunch. Even the cathedral was closed! After trying to find a restaurant we came across a pizza restaurant and took lunch. All around us we noticed everyone, children and adults alike, were drinking bebidas gaseos, that is fizzy pop in lurid colours. We shared a bottle of wine.
Having called in at the supermarket, we headed off home and spent a lazy afternoon watching the wind blow.