DAY 24-COQUIMBO, CHILE

 This is the second port in a row we are missing.  The Captain made a PA announcement just before noon saying that the port was closed in Coquimbo due to the swells.  Both Iquique and Coquimbo ports are not in a protected harbor, but rather, are exposed to the ocean.  This is the first time Regent as tried to visit both ports.  I think they may have to rethink coming here on future cruises.

Historical/Background Info: 
I will leave this info on the blog even though we did not stop here.
        This is the first time we have been to this port.  Coquimbo lies in a valley on the Pan American Highway and is a natural harbor city just 250 miles north of the capital of Chile, Santiago.  In the 1800’s the port became important because of the gold and copper industries back then.  Today it is an important industrial and shipping center.  Fruit and copper is shipped from here and wine is also produced in the area. One of the largest crosses in the world has been built here out of concrete and dominates the city skyline and is beautifully lit at night.  In English it is called, “The Cross of the Third Millennium”.  Tourists are attracted here because of the fine, white sand beaches and the region’s pleasant climate.  Besides tourism, fishing and agriculture are its other main industries.
        Coquimbo is just 6 miles south of the province capital of La Serena and this area has a population of over 600,000.  The agricultural center city of Ovalle is located further south.  Running east from La Serena is the Elqui Valley.  We were originally booked on this excursion today to this unique narrow but fertile valley in the middle of an Andean mountainous desert.  Water coming down from the mountains is used to irrigate.  It also has the clearest atmosphere in the world and is home to a number of astronomical observatories.  I changed excursions though.
What We Did Last Night:
        Somehow we both forgot that we had ordered a special dinner in Compass Rose.  As we were headed up elevator to go to Setti Mari (Italian), Harry, one of the head waiters, reminded us that we had ordered French fried soft shell crabs and French onion soup.  So we enjoyed that instead of Italian food.
        We also had reception desk print this invitation for us and send it to the five people we are inviting to join us.  We are celebrating our 400th night on Regent and 1000th total nights on cruise ships.  We are having Chef Michael do a special menu that night for the seven of us.  Rebecca just noticed they made a mistake on the invitation.  Should be Wednesday, Feb 10th.  Personally, I have lost track of what day it is out here anyway.  Reception is resending new, corrected invitations.

        The production show last night was excellent as usual.  Rebecca did not go up to the Liar's Club afterwards but I did.
        The ship was really rocking and rolling last night but has calmed down some this morning.  It was roughest ride so far on this cruise.   

What We Did Today:
        So last time we were off the ship was Monday.  This is the fourth day of bobbing around in the Pacific Ocean.  It is cooling off the further south we go.  At 1:30 pm it is sunny but only 68F.  The lunch theme today was "burger heaven" up on pool deck.  The hamburgers are REALLY good and they make the buns too.  Very yummy!  Rebecca even splurged and had one.
        We are only cruising at 12 knots to get to our next port of Valparaiso early tomorrow morning.  The Captain said there were no berths available for us if we arrived before then.
        So we are just relaxing in our suite this afternoon.  Of course we did our normal workout this morning.  Rebecca is reading another James Patterson book.  I'm writing this!  We plan to go to hear a presentation by Colonel Stephen Bauer at 5:45 pm.  He is the longest serving Military Social aide in the history of the White House.  He will be doing several lectures based on his experiences working with and for five US Presidents.  I think these will be most interesting.
        Dinner tonight will be in Compass Rose restaurant.  Prime rib is one of the items on the menu which caught our eye.  At 9:30 in the theater is the comedian, Stevie Jo, again.  Not sure if we will go.