After an early start to the morning with a very easy check out of our first hotel in Chile, the bulldogs arrived at the Terminal Cerros Valparaíso around 10am. After being greeted by Tómas Lauer, the communications manger for the port, we all listened to the wonderful presentation about the port, while over looking the beautiful harbor. The bulldogs learned about all the imports and exports the port received followed by an interesting Q&A.
Shortly following the presentation, we all got back on the bus for a very short bus ride to the other end of the port. Here we were told that we were going to be having a boat tour around the harbor. The morning started off on the colder side, around crisp 60 degrees with a lot of fog. Angie, who fears the cold, loaded on the layers in hopes of beating the cold.
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| Angie Perrone modeling her layered outfit |
Thankfully, by the time we were boarding the boat, the fog had cleared and, with that, the temperature got a little warmer.
As soon as we got off the bus, the boat that we were about to board was not what any of the bulldogs were expecting. One student, Hannah Mason, said “I was very skeptical at first because the boat was small and there were a lot of us, but then it was really cool to learn about the city and see Valparaíso from the Pacific Ocean.”
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| Our boat for the boat tour |
Of course safety first, so once we were all buckled up in our life jackets we set sail for our boat tour. Eduardo was our tour guide for the trip and, although it was a little hard to hear him at some points due to the motor being in the middle of the boat, he was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable about the harbor and everything around.
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| Edwardo, our tour guide |
The first thing that all the students noticed touring the harbor was the jaw dropping hills with beautifully painted houses all throughout. The hills seemed to go on for miles on end and no matter what direction we looked we were shocked by how many houses were located in the hills so far away. The sight was unforgettable.
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| The beautiful views of Valparaíso from our boat tour |
Then, Eduardo started to tell us all to look outside the side of the boat because jelly fish were all over. Many of us have seen jelly fish before, but nothing compared to the jelly fish in the pacific. They were a lot bigger than many of us were expecting and so beautiful. Throughout the entire boat ride we could hear students yelling “wow!! Did you see that one?”
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| If you look closely, you can see one of the many jelly fish we encountered during our boat tour |
After Eduardo got everyone's attention away from the jelly fish, he pointed out this beautiful sail boat that was docked in the harbor. He pointed out a bird on the front of the ship which we were told was hand carved special for the boat. After we rode by this beautiful sail boat, we then passed many different naval ships that were docked as well. Number 19's official name is Williams and it was made in England but now the Chileans have it as apart of their naval base. The next ship that we saw was called the “Hamburg Sud.” This is one of the many, many cargo ships the port has to export goods. This cargo ship specifically was stocked with a lot of delicious fruits that would soon be exported to the United States. Who knows, maybe soon enough we’ll be eating some of fruits that were on that vessel!
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| Boat with hand craved bird |
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| Navy Ships |
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| Cargo Ship |
Edwardo then brought some of the girls up front to the bow of the ship to take a picture with the official Chilean flag. Kristina said that “it was terrifying," where as Kayla said that “it was exhilarating."
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| Kristina Morrison and Bridget Gomes at the bow of the ship |
Right before the short boat tour was concluding, the rumor got out that it was Eduardo's birthday so of course, the bulldogs had to show off their vocal talents and sing to him as we docked. He absolutely loved it and staff facilitator, Sarah, said that “it was my favorite part of the boat ride!”
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| Edwardo, the birthday boy |
Edwardo helped all of us off the boat and wished us all a good day. After this, the bulldogs were off for a quick lunch in Valparaíso in order to grab some souvenirs before heading back to the bus for the Veramonte Vineyard tour that we were going to at 2:30pm!
Please enjoy some additional photos from our wonderful boat tour below!
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| The bulldogs excited for the boat tour |
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| Cassidy Forsely looking beautiful as always |
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| Emma Laudano, Cassidy's roommate, also looking beautiful as always |
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