Thursday 3rd May in Coquimbo

Well, the tour to the observatory isn't going today, after all - not enough people on it to justify it - but it may go tomorrow or Saturday so I'll hang around until then as I'm keen to do it (one of the highlights on my list of things to do while in Chile). My guide is exceptional and got me to the tour booking office which would have been hard to find on my own. I needed batteries for my torch as well and we shopped at the equivalent of a Mitre 10 Mega on our way back into the town centre before stopping for an expensive coffee at a food hall above the Mega store (2,200 pesos each - but it was real coffee, so often you are served instant coffee at 1,500 pesos). We found a lovely quiet courtyard with umbrellas and bougainvillea for a long lunch which is always accompanied with good Chilean red wine (Casillero del Diablo - Locker/Cave of the Devil today!) and we joked about the name and it's origin. I was hesitant to order the fish after two bad experiences in Los Vilos and ordered the lasagna instead (which was good) but was sorry I hadn't ordered the fish when Miriam's arrived as it looked like a nice and moist fillet with lots of vegetables. I'm learning a lot about the Spanish language from Miriam and have suggested that she promote her guiding service on her AirBnB site to English speaking guests as she has a wealth of knowledge about Chile - she's worth her weight in gold as a Bi Lingual tour guide. 

Miriam's sister and BiL and her daughter Nadia have just popped in to pick up some stuff  - they live in Switzerland. Nadia is studying architecture and is a classical pianist and speaks excellent English (as well as French and Spanish). She is very interesting to talk to and has a wealth of knowledge about classical composers - Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Haydn, Schubert, Mozart and many others she referred to I can't recall the names of. Bill would love talking with her! Miriam always has classical music playing loudly in the house early in the morning, which is nice to wake up to.

No other news to report today - maybe some tomorrow, otherwise I'll skip a day. Bye for now.

Lunch Al Fresco at a quiet patio courtyard in La Serena.