Sea lions
On the platforms.
LuxoDresden — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edosanra — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Joralt — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Edosanra — CC BY-SA 3.0
A small, lively market on the bank of the Calle-Calle River in the heart of Valdivia, under colourful awnings, where fishermen sell fresh fish, shellfish and seafood every morning, beside a market of vegetables, fruit and local produce from the countryside. Its funniest regulars are huge sea lions that haul themselves from the river onto wooden platforms by the stalls to wait patiently for fish scraps, joined by pelicans, cormorants and gulls, so visitors stop to watch them up close. They are strong wild animals, so keep your distance and never feed them. Valdivia is a green university city founded in 1552, wrapped by rivers on every side, devastated by the 1960 earthquake, the strongest ever recorded, and then rebuilt. From the riverfront near the market, boat trips run down the rivers to the Spanish forts at the river mouth. Morning is the best time, when fish and birds are most plentiful. Southern Chile is often rainy, even in summer, so bring a rain jacket.
On the platforms.
Fresh fish.
To the forts.
Calle-Calle riverfront, central Valdivia
They are strong wild animals used to the place, so watch from a distance and never approach or feed them.