The promised land (for sea lions)
Trip Start
Dec 30, 2007
1
18
50
Trip End
Jun 22, 2008
Valdivia is chiefly famous for having a fish market that draws parasites like sea lions, vultures, cormorants and caracaras. Shrewd marketing move. The market is on the banks of a river and the fish scraps are chucked over a fence onto concrete pontoons where sealions provide an efficient waste disposal service. They are assisted by various sea birds including the ever-present turkey vulture.
Beyond this there isn't all that much going on in Valdivia, but we had a nice day. We tried some local specialties including some curious spiky fruit.
We also went for a wander around the botanical gardens, which lie on the far bank of the river. They are very strict here: no games, no picnics and no sitting on the grass! We disobeyed these rules a little bit - sitting on the grass and eating too, and watched a sealion cruise up and down the river.
Beyond this there isn't all that much going on in Valdivia, but we had a nice day. We tried some local specialties including some curious spiky fruit.
We also went for a wander around the botanical gardens, which lie on the far bank of the river. They are very strict here: no games, no picnics and no sitting on the grass! We disobeyed these rules a little bit - sitting on the grass and eating too, and watched a sealion cruise up and down the river.

