Valparaiso is Chiles largest port which it has been
since 1542. It is spread on an amphitheatre of hills which are ascended by
no less than 15 ancient lifts or 'ascensores'.
Described in the Rough Guide: 'with its ramshackle,
brightly painted houses spilling chaotically down to the sea' it sounds a
bit like Llareggub in Under Milk Wood! It has been hit and demolished by
earthquakes several times in its history. The last great one was on August
16th 1906; it practically razed the city to the ground and killed over 2000
people. Eight years later, the Panama Canal opened, hastening its decline as
a major port.
Valparaiso's Naval Club.
I detect some French influence here.
This was an interesting combination of old and new: the
new glass building was built within the old shell.
I
wondered if this had occurred because of Chiles last great earthquake in
1962.
A rather snazzy red fire engine of uncertain (to me)
vintage.
Overhead electrics were everywhere.
One form of transport that I have not seen
for many years was the Trolley bus. Quiet and non polluting, they just
swished along.
They also used to run in Santiago in
the 1950's, but not any more.
A parking warden goes about her business.
Down on the waterfront, I do some
people watching.
The panoramic view Towards Vina del Mar from a viewpoint at the top of
one of the ascensores.
