Thinking I was on the list of stand-by fire team the day we arrived at the port of Arica, I did not have any plan about going ashore. But after finding out that my name was not on the list, I run to my cabin, put on my walking shoes, and in less than 10 minutes or so I was already sitting in the shuttle bus heading to the port gate.
The ship berthed at the cargo terminal. Passengers and crew were not allowed to walk to the port gate, so shuttle buses run between the ship and the gate throughout our port stay.
I already had in mind where to go – to Morro de Arica! This is the hill with a giant flag of Chile flown on its summit. At a height of 189 meters above sea level, it was the last bulwark of defense for the Peruvian troops who garrisoned the city during the War of the Pacific. Morro de Arica rises steeply from the city and the sea, with a more gentle slope towards the east.
I had no idea as to which direction to start with to get to the summit, so I asked locals for directions. Know what? If you want to practice your Spanish speaking skills, talk to the locals!
Getting to the summit of Morro de Arica was gruelling. You have to follow an ascending road about 10 to 15 minutes walk form the port gate until you reach the dead end of the road with the sign Morro de Arica. Then from here, be prepared for another heavy walk uphill on a very steep pathway leading to the hilltop.
The walk is like you’re on a thread mill with running belt inclined to maximum angle. It was a perfect outdoor cardio exercise I should say.
The view from above was a peaceful and breath-taking scenery. Look further and you’ll see the horizon meet the vast ocean. Look below and you’ll have a beautiful view of the city.
I stayed there for a while and took as much photos as I wanted before started my walk downhill back to the port gate.
There is St. Mark’s Cathedral, a Catholic church. It stand just by the road on my way uphill but I decided to drop by and took photos of it on my way back.
Before dark I was back to the ship. Arica was our first port in Chile – we do have 5 other Chilean ports and 1 Argentine port to visit before heading more South to the highlight of the cruise – the Antarctic!
