Can you waddle like a Penguin
Trip Start
Dec 26, 2009
1
31
95
Trip End
Dec 22, 2010
Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sitting in the hostel, I was forced with the decision to book a tour. i couldn't find enough people to rent a car and was told biking around the peninsular was impossible, as the roads were gravel and distances between specific points can reach up to 100km.
The advantage of taking a tour, is that it´s very informative and you learn so much more about animals, terrain and the climate. The disadvantage, you loose your freedom of choice and you have to follow a schedule. With an already low chance of spotting Orcas and only at high tide. I new there was going to be an even smaller chance of spotting one on a tour.
So I sold out and booked two tours. One on Monday around peninsula Valdes, a protected area. In search of Orca whales, sea lions, Lobos and a mix of ground inhabitants. The second on Tuesday, to Punto Tombo. The biggest Magellan's penguin colony in the world.
I liked the tour around the peninsular valdes, but frustration grew. We drove passed groups of animals, were if I had a car, I would pull over and admire them. We spent only 30 minutes at Punta Norte to spot orcas and it wasn't even high tide.
Of course we didn't see any.... I´m officially not! a fan of tours. I don't care how informative they are. I need to have the option to stay as long as I like in a place, to capture the beautiful, unique moment. I f I wanted to know everything about this place, I could have stayed at home and researched it on the Internet.
The sea lions were massive, 4 tone, with a lovely brown/orange coat. They are fast as they have flippers at the front and the back to propel themselves, as appose to the lobos which just have them at the rear.
It was funny watching the lobos exiting the water, Wriggling their way up the beach, resting, wriggling more, resting then wriggling again. I´m sure the words "fuck my life" was running through his mind as he tried to gather the energy to advance forward in the hot sun.
I wanted to get closer to them.. I spotted a mint surf brake, 5´ - 6´ offshore, clean and barreling. I would almost give my right arm to surf out there with the wildlife. I asked the park ranger and was met with a resentful response, No! shame, I bet that would of been the best surf of my life.
I loved, absolutely loved the Magellan's penguin colony. They are the funniest animals ever! I couldn't help but laugh, watching them waddle along on their small feet, almost tripping over. The penguins enjoy the warm climate. After mating and breading here, the head north to Brazil to feed.
The reserve was amazing. There was a path for observes; some places fenced off, some not. This was for us humans, not the penguins. They are able to roam free at their own will. I loved this concept, it expelled an authentic natural feeling.
I crouched in awe, as a penguin waddled up to me, so close i could smell its breath. He snapped his head to the right, then the left as if posing for a photo shoot. I'm sure this one thought he was all that! Tyra banks has nothing on this guy.
I met a guy with the coolest name, Casper his first, Prick his second. After admiring the penguins, we decided to try meet up later in Patagonia to trek the mountains. With him and Johannes trekking Patagonia would be a fantastic experience.
Days like this remind me why I travel....
