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<\/a><\/p>\nThis is the wreck of the SS Santa Leonor, which ran aground in 1968.\u00a0 It started it’s life in 1944 as the USS Riverside, a US Navy Transport ship that served briefly at the end of WWII.\u00a0 \u00a0The ship transported reinforcements to Okinawa, arriving just two days before the war ended.\u00a0 \u00a0After the war the ship was decommissioned and sold to a Chilean company to transport cargo.\u00a0 I was surprised that the bridge crew didn’t get on the PA and let everybody know about the wreck!<\/p>\n
That first sea day it pretty much rained the entire time, but at least there is a positive to that rain.<\/p>\n The second day was cloudy and cool, but clear enough to produce some nice views.<\/p>\n I was impressed with how extensive the fjords are along the coast of Chile.\u00a0 They definitely allowed us to avoid any rough seas.<\/p>\n There were literally a thousand waterfalls along the way.<\/p>\n Yet another incredible rainbow!<\/p>\n The sunset on our final night was excellent!<\/p>\n This is the view from the ships tender of the small fishing town of Puerto Chacabuco, which really has nothing to see, but is an excellent starting point for excursions.<\/p>\n We had a bit of a confusing time trying to find our guide in this port, and I wouldn’t recommend them at all, so I won’t mention them here.\u00a0 We boarded the crowded van and our first stop was about a half hour away, Cascada La Virgen, a pretty decent waterfall.<\/p>\n Decent enough that we had to get a photo to prove we were there.<\/p>\n We had another stop to view the Simpson River, which is apparently a fly fisherman’s paradise\u00a0 The sun came out just in time.<\/p>\n This is a view of our next destination, the largest city in the area, Coyhaique.<\/p>\n We stopped in Coyhaique for about 45 minutes, so not really enough time to have lunch or do any serious shopping (the major downside of the tour I selected).\u00a0 I did take 15 minutes to walk to the best wine store in town!<\/p>\n I asked the owner for his best 4 bottles of Carmenere, what has become my favorite Chilean wine (think Pinot Noir with the heft of a Zinfandel).\u00a0 I was shocked at the prices!\u00a0 First up, an $11 bottle, followed by an $8, another $11 and finally the best he had at $20.\u00a0 Breaking the bank!\u00a0 I told him I wanted to move here!<\/p>\n There are excellent views of the surrounding mountains just as you exit the city.<\/p>\n Another part of our tour was going to our tour guides house to have German cake and coffee.\u00a0 This was NOT in the description that I read.\u00a0 Pretty odd, so no photos or further mention required.\u00a0 Our last stop was this bridge over the Simpson River, that mimics a bridge I’ve seen elsewhere?<\/p>\n Selfie time!<\/p>\n One more shot of the cool miniature Golden Gate.\u00a0 The skies were definitely threatening!<\/p>\n Before we left this spot the sun popped out and created an excellent photo op.<\/p>\n As we departed Puerto Chacabuco we once again saw plenty of glacier fed waterfalls along the fjord.<\/p>\n As well as the best rainbow I think we have ever seen!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n