1/19/2008 Antofagasta, Chile

From: Sherman Rootberg
Date: Jan 19, 2008 6:18 PM
Subject: 1/19/2008

1/19/2008

Antofagasta, Chile

Like many, if not most places, along the coast east of the Andes, this town of 300,000 has many earthquakes. A little over ten years ago they had an 8.1. Unlike other places, this town is built on almost all rock and damage was minimal. There is some evidence but most of the buildings are fine.

We pulled into the harbor at about 1:00 PM. As we passed by a pier at the entrance to the harbor, there were a few hundred people standing and waving to us. They were not allowed to enter the area where we docked but it was nice to see them.

The harbor was not set up to be a cruise ship terminal and had no facilities. While the local people were friendly and smiled wherever we went, their government was the opposite. This is the first time this line ever stopped here and probably the last. I don’t know if any major cruise line stops here. They certainly make things very difficult and uncomfortable.

We were originally told, as soon as the ship cleared, we could go ashore and those on tours were to meet dockside at the appointed times. Very quickly there were new rules issued by Chile customs. Everyone had to meet in the theater. Only those on tours could be there to start with. Others would be later.

We were let off in groups of 36. Once on the dock we had to do the cattle bit and go through an inspection. We were not allowed to bring any food or plants ashore. Then we were allowed to get in another cattle line to board the buses. The people doing this checking were friendly enough but I would like to get hold of the idiot that thought this up at the last minute.

We took a highlights tour of the city. Stupid, stupid, stupid, and dumb, dumb, dumb. Our wonderful bus had no air and the windows did not open.

If you take a look at a map, you can see we are at the same latitude south as about Miami is in the north. The sun strength here, is the same as Miami on June 19th. Here however, there is never a cloud.

It went for 40 years without rain. Somewhere near here, there has been no rain recorded in 700 years. That’s as far back as they can determine. It may have never rained.

The local buses had no air either but they had open windows. Ours had two roof panels that opened and two tiny windows front and rear that opened. Can you say oven? Can you get in one and turn the heat all the way up? That’s what it felt like we had done.

Of course it was well worth the discomfort because of all the wonderful and interesting things we saw, “NOT”! It was a long narrow town on the ocean. There are mountains a short way inland and absolutely no sights or attractions. There is a small and unremarkable downtown. We never saw any slums or luxury homes if there were any. They kept everything swept clear of debris but because it is always dusty from the dry soil, everything looks a little dirty.

We made several worthless stops. One, when almost back to the ship, for shopping. All that was there were a few junk stalls. I tried to buy a belt but they did not have size huge. It was so bad, even Bobbi could find nothing to buy, and let me tell you. That’s bad. Just a block away was a modern looking Mercado (market) with many real stores. We had also passed a nice, real shopping mall.

Then, as we started to enter the port came the pace de resistance (or however the hell you say it). Everyone had to get off the busses and do cattle call again. We had to walk through their stinking customs hut and put all our stuff through an x-ray. First, of course, we had to bake in the bus for a while. It was just a crock of crap as nothing was stopped or checked when alarms went off on baggage or when checking the people. They have to do this to push you around so they can show you what big shots they are.

I am seriously thinking of canceling all the rest of the tours in Chile. If I hear of this kind of treatment once more, I will cancel all further visits to Chile.

While traveling around the world twice and cruising since the 60s, I can only think of one other port this bad. Goa, India two years ago. This cruise line no longer goes there. I would think they would take this port off their list also. All they did was get us angry.

Tonight we ate at Signatures again. It was a new menu. I liked the old one better but the food and service, as always, was outstanding. Shortly after we sat down the ship left port and cruised along the coast. It was a beautiful sight with the high mountains at the shore, just out the windows. It could not have been a better dinner.

We took a walk on the deck with the stores to wear off dinner a little. Nothing has changed. I am starting to worry. There had been no logo items and there still are none. Are they going to change the name of the ships or the cruise line? Are they going to sell the ships? This does not look good. I have a large deposit up for another world cruise next year. I wonder if the credit card company will refund my money if they disappear. I will have to call the credit card company and find out.