Arriving in Puerto Madryn
Welcome to Puerto Madryn!!!!
On the dock we met our guide Rodrigo. Rodrigo is a high school math and geography teacher here in Puerto Madryn but also guides during the tourist season.
We piled in the van and headed out to possibly see sea lions, Welsh house, penguins and maybe more.
Puerto Madryn is on the coast of Argentina. The population is roughly 100,000 people. It started as a predominantly Welsh settlement. The major industries in Puerto Madryn are aluminum, fishing (staffed by Bolivian immigrants primarily), stone work and tourism. Puerto Madryn has a large wind farm outside the city to generate a significant portion of its power.
The climate is warm and arid with the plateaus getting not much more than 20 ml of rain a year. The Peninsula Valdez is full of amazing wildlife, sea lions, elephant seals, penguins, llamas, pumas and sheep. There are orcas regularly swimming in these waters looking for sea lions or penguins. The Right whale will migrate to these waters as well. Just outside the bay is a large and rich area for fishing which helps bring in the wildlife and fishing as a major industry.
Sculpture in the roundabout in Puerto Madryn
We are heading to the lighthouse at the bottom of the page only about 1-1 1/2 hours outside Puerto Madryn
Rodrigo making some Mate to share on the drive.
Our first stop was a lighthouse and a cliff over looking the South Atlantic
These sea lions look like they are working (#CP)
The cliffs and the ocean created a wonderful view this pic it OK but doesn’t do it justice.
Sea lions barking
Sea lions barking #2
They like to swim after the penguins and try to attack their bellies where they are vulnerable and the fish are stored.
Family photos on the Cliff
Katie where are you looking in this picture? #posture
So many girls in Argentina 🇦🇷 so many girls
Sadie prepping to take the pictures of the sea lions. Hoping to bulk her up with a little chorizo this afternoon.
Grace, Abby and Casey pose by the lighthouse
Lighthouse in the desert
Inside the lighthouse. You need a hook to pull down the ladder so you can change the 💡
From the lighthouse we journeyed to a Welsh house. The portion of Argentina had a large number of immigrants with a Welsh heritage so a strong influence is seen today.
The hedges and landscape around the house is immaculate and in stark contrast to the arid surroundings.
From the farm we ventured to the penguin nesting area. I was stunned to see how far they were from the ocean. They nest under prickly arid bushes to protect themselves from predators like foxes 🦊 or pumas.
On the way out. To see the penguins. 1 km hike in the sun. Not a bad way to say goodbye to 79
Who dat?
Caw Caw...Caw Caw
Elle visits a single bar. This is a tree on the path where all the orphaned and single penguins go and hang out.
Lara checked out the singles bar too. These penguins need WiFi and Tinder.
We continued down the trail until we reached the Atlantic Ocean. Here many penguins frolicked along the shore.
Katie amongst the penguins
Let’s get in the water
The girls, the penguins and the Atlantic Ocean
Lara and I with the penguins. Where am I looking?????
TB, LB and the girls
LB, MB and the girls
More penguins
After enjoying our time on the beach and arguing with another tour guide. We started the long walk back to the bus. That one kilometer seemed like 6 on the way back.
This guy is looking at his situation the wrong way.
Bring me back alive.
Everyone survived and now enjoys air conditioning.
Grilled lamb. 4 hours over an open flame. Basted with a mixture of water, thyme, rosemary, garlic pepper and sage
Chorizos on the grill.
Rodrigo found cervezas.
Argentinian Malbec to wash it down of course.
What are the odds this crews eats all their lamb and chorizo?
The lamb. Was so good. Get the pieces with the bark!
Heading back to Puerto Madryn. Is anyone tired???
I got out early to explore Puerto Madryn. I am a lonely 🐧.
Traditional dancers at the port.
Back on the boat it was basically dinner and bed. A full day of adventure and penguins 🐧. Tomorrow we are at sea. Is December 28th a big day?
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