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We docked in this port (and by some measures a poor) city that, although it is on the coast, is really a desert. The port area is a rather desolate area with fuel storage tanks, a beach for the locals, third world style housing and a 20 minute drive to the real city in the area, Trujillo. I took a bus tour that took us to Trujillo where we walked around the downtown city streets past several colonial homes in and around the town square. The houses were incredibly ornate, had beautiful courtyards and gardens and were wonderfully maintained.
These homes, having been built in the 1800’s by the wealthy people of that era, are either owned by private parties, operated as facilities for companies like banks, or owned by the government and maintained as historical sites. The last home we toured was a private residence and the owner actually hosted a cocktail party for all of us. She also took some of us on private tours of her favorite rooms in the house and told us some stories about some of the accouterments in the house. On the trip home the poverty of much of this area became much more evident after the opulence of the huge, ornate homes we had seen earlier. The government will actually buy homes for people in a sand dune area to assist getting a roof of sorts over their heads.
When I returned to the ship Margaret was on a conference call so I decided to take a photo trek around the port area to see some of the local’s fishing boats, the thousands of birds on the beach and to just take in some of the local flavor. Well, after walking through the port area, getting kicked out of the “bird beach” by the guy guarding the fuel tank area…signs were on the OTHER side, not the port side…I guess they figure no one would be crazy enough to go there! So, I took some quick pictures of the birds and then walked all the way around the tanks, down a long, dirty road past local and very primitive food stands and through a gate that took you into the local beach area. It was, let’s say, very bizarre. It was like the Star Wars “bar” scene with dirty, very strange people laying around, more dirty stands selling local wares, marine parts and other non-descript stuff.
I made my way past this and finally got to the pier. There, local guys were giving people rides in small wooden boats with small outboards. Not sure why but everyone seemed to be having a good time. Lots of people were enjoying the beach, laying on the sand or playing in the water. I took my pictures and got the heck out of there…happy to get out without getting hassled. Since it was getting close to the ship leaving I walked quickly back, taking pictures on the way. I could have bought my way back on the little motorbike taxis but I intentionally didn’t bring any money. Oops. Fifty cents would have saved me walking down that dirty road but it definitely gave me the local flavor I was looking for. I made it back with 15 minutes to spare and was happy to take a shower and ettle down for a nice evening at Compass Rose.
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But, before that we decided to go down to the Horizon Lounge (Deck 6 Aft with an outdoor patio) to enjoy a martini and the beautiful sunset that was setting up. We met a nice couple there and experimented with porthole pictures. An hour later we were good friends and, after a couple Grey Goose martinis were ready for dinner!
We lucked out and managed to get a table at Prime 7 (we’re getting better at this!) at a “meet another couple” type of table. The couple was from New York and, despite the fact that she had never used a finger bowl before (just kidding about that but she really hadn’t) they were very nice. We had a discussion about one of my ideas for a website and had some fun trying to come up with website names.
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After Compass Rose we headed to the Connoisseurs Lounge and met a guy that I had seen in the elevator earlier in the day. Turns out that he was on the ship setting up the new broadway show for which he designed the sets. He had some great tatoos (even on above his ear!) and we had a great discussion about men’s jewelry.
We really have a good life on the Mariner!
Salaverry/Trujillo Picture Gallery: http://travelwithdm.smugmug.com/Travel/South-America/Salaverry-Jan-22-2010/25153320_rGrqdP#!i=2062600404&k=SBf6XRL