Puerto Madryn

Keeping her eggs cosy and safe

I arrived at my hostel knackered after a sleepless night on a freezing bus but was greeted by 3 familiar Dutch faces - a girl from BA and a couple from way back in Bolivia 4 months ago. They were in the midst of planning to rent a car and so of course I said 'I'm in'.

Along with a German girl we spent a great couple of days exploring the surrounding national parks and seeing amazing wildlife. Our first day took us South to a Maggalen penguin colony where mothers to be were patiently sitting on their eggs all around us.

On the way back we stopped at a Welsh village (yes Welsh!)
and picked up some fresh scones, cream and jam for diy afternoon tea for which I was looked to as the resident expert!

A huge male elephant seal flopped on the beach

On our second day we drove to the Valdes Peninsula where we saw more penguins, elephant seals, guanaco and many different types of birds.

 But the absolute highlight was a whale watching tour to see Southern right whales. The boat got so close and the whales (some with young) were happy to swim all around and under us which was incredible.

Getting up close to Southern right whales

After a final day relaxing together in Puerto Madryn it was time for me to venture South again into the real heart of Patagonia.