The most beautiful house in Valparaiso - home of the Chilean Navy!

I will paddle tomorrow, Wednesday, to Qintay, and will

arrive in Valparaiso on Thursday around noon!

I will stay in Valparaiso probably until Sunday, and probably get a lift on Sunday night to Santiago. Monday is press work in Santiago, and Tuesday, I will fly HOME! Yahoo!

My hosts Loreta, Rodrigo and Mercedes, the great cook, with many family members for lunch at the round table.

Pos: here
Loc: Algarrobo
Acc: Lloreta’s house
Dist: 38,8 km
Start: 7:00 End: 12:45

I didn’t sleep long enough nor well enough, as we had set the time to leave the house at 6 am, to be on the water at first light at 7 am. The one and only day on the trip I was paddling with an almost empty boat, as I would be picked up by Rodrigo in Algarrobo again, to be back to Lloreta’s house for one more night. Thanks for the effort of driving me!

Mercedes with Loreta in her great kitchen, cooking delicious fresh food.

Pos: here
Loc: Puerto San Antonio
Acc: Lloreta’s house
Dist: 58,6 km
Start: 7:40 End: 16:45

I woke at 6 am, and was enjoying my breakfast oats still in my warm sleeping bag, as it was quite a chilly morning. I needed to have my headlamp on, as it was also still pitch dark!

No idea how those fat civilized guys get up there!

Pos: here
Loc: Caleta Matanza
Acc: tent
Dist: 51,7 km
Start: 7:45 End: 17:35

I was already getting up and packing at the agreed time, when one of the officers eventually let me know it was this morning: a time change – one hour back to winter time. Thanks for letting me know this morning and not already yesterday night! Plus I’d have agreed on an earlier start, as it was already a bright sunny day once we eventually got going. Guys, I have to paddle more than 50 km today and don’t really enjoy arriving in last light!

…well, when I look now at the latest swell forecast around Algarrobo I
may have to take Thursday off as well before I can continue…and then
arrive on Saturday…? Should also be ok. Plans still can change! Oh shit,
those plans…

C'mon guys, get going!

Pos: here
Loc: Pichilemu
Acc: Navy Pichilemu
Dist: 63,4 km
Start: 8:30 End: 19:00

I was ready to go in first light again, but the look of the surf was frustrating…what were two clean lines yesterday, were about 5-6 lines this morning…”my” Navy came soon at 8 am, accompanied by the two fishermen from last night. He soon was asking if I’d need help on launching…well…as I’m asked…and the surf looks so uninviting to crash through…and the fishermen seemed to be keen to do it… yes!

The locals from Caleta Duao, thanks for your help!

Pos: here
Loc: Caleta Duao
Acc: tent
Dist: 55,2 km
Start: 8:40 End: 19:15

I was scared this morning how the landing today may be. Nothing doing with “Fearless”… I hate surf landings. The swell forecast was just below 2 m, and I think it can’t get better. Wind was easy going southerly.

The Tsunami did it's job...no money left for getting the rests out of the way...

Pos: here
Loc: Constitucion
Acc: Navy Constitucion
Dist: 0 km

Oh – I forgot to mention yesterday I really got some fruit last night! The navy mail order service has worked – thanks a lot! A few oranges, pears and some fruit I already tried once but which I don’t know the name of – they taste like melons. Although I was able to visit a supermarket myself today, but I was not planning to stay one day.