La Serena is the closest city to the cruise port at Coquimbo. The excursion we booked included both cities. First, we drove to the university set on a hill.
From here we were able to walk around, take a restroom break, and make photos from a scenic overlook.
These trees are intriguing.
La Recova Market was filled with indoor vendors and surrounded by outdoor vendors. They sold everything from custom jewelry and trinkets, to food. Good prices could be found on lapis items.
Just a few steps around the corner took us from “shabby chic” to polished as we found major city streets.
We stopped at a lighthouse turned tourist office. It was closed for the day, but a few vendors set up tables around it.
The view from the landing showed a few people enjoying the beach in the distance.
Plaza del Armas
Here I am writing my postcard to myself. The post office was not open, so I had to ask our tour operator if she would kindly drop it in the mail for me. Sometimes this works, sometimes not.
The drive back to port offered a surprising site. We frequently see McDonalds and KFC in other countries, but this was the first time for Chuck E. Cheese’s!
Next stop: Paracas, Peru and the Ballestas Islands