Valparaiso Chile Part 2

I have been staying at Villa Kunterbunt, in Valparaiso for the past few days.  The hostal is totally dedicated to motos and riders, and it has been a great place to rest and plan for the assault on Patagonia.  The owners are great people and go out of their way to help people shipping bikes to and from Valpariso, as well as provide a hostal for moto riders.

 This young couple is from Germany, and have just returned from Patagonia and gave valuable advice regarding roads and accommodations...

Uli has got his Tiger crated and ready to be shipped to Hamburg.  The shipping will take about 2 months and 18 days.

 Interesting that they can be that exact, and I guess large ships are similar to aircraft, in that they must determine fuel usage and maximize their travels.

Uli and I have had a number of discussions regarding the Tiger versus the F800.  While I realize that one pays significantly for the BMW branding, I am very happy with Blondy, and I think that the 100,000 kilometers without serious problems, other than self-imposed, speaks well  for the model.

Uli has promised to send a picture of Tiger when he reaches 100,000 kms.

Henning, from Zurich, finally gets away on his sparkling F800.  He is heading south as well, and we may run into him again...

Another German couple arrive on a Tenere.....

Being from the northern hemisphere, I can't get over the fresh flowers and the accompanying colours. I know that it is grey and wet in my home, and I really appreciate the sunshine and bright colours of the South.

These guys were making a video: big boom, little camera....

 Nicol and Jennifer must have been very popular Canadian girls....

Valparaiso is the chief port for the Chilean Navy, and this is the headquarters.  I saw the Chilean training ship, the Esmeralda, in the harbour, and I remember seeing her in Vancouver a number of years ago.  She is a fine looking ship, with 4 mainmasts, I believe.

I thought I would include a pic of the Hotel Victoria for my Vancouver Island friends.

Uli and I in the main square of  Valparaiso, in front of a statue of guys with swords and pistols.

Valparaiso is, and was, a very important port in South America, and prior to the Panama Canal, the main arrival port for the Pacific trade.

In the central area, many of the buildings are colonial, and appear to be of the Victorian era.

A new building growing out of an old structure....

This one reminded me of the hotel Europa in Gastown in Vancouver...

There's Poseidon at work....

Valparaiso is very similar to San Francisco.  When the 1906 'Frisco earthquake occurred, there was one here as well, the same year.....

Uli neede a 17 mm Allan wrench for his front wheel disasembly, and we found a street market which was totally dedicated to hardware...

Interestingly, China has made great headway in South America, with cars and trucks.  I think that there is a "Great Wall" truck in the Dakar.

A watch-cat employed at one of the many hardware stores we found, looking for a 17 mm. Allan wrench.

We met this couple from Colombia. They are planning a circuit of South America.  Their website is:http://www.vivesuramericaenmoto.com/ 

The volunteer Fire Department in Valparaiso is 150 years old....seldom do we appreciate or thank those amongst us who spend the time to train and practice so that our homes are safe...