Punto Arenas - the penguins
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
1
7
16
Trip End
Jun 11, 2008
Punto Arenas, Chile
Saturday, January 26, 2008
We took a taxi to Puerto Montt, the local airport, where we got a flight to Punto Arenas. This is a very southerly part of Chile and many people take boats from here to do the waterways of Chile. The town has some beautiful mansions, which originally belonged to the wealthy sheep ranching families. These are around the main square Plaza Munoz Gamero. There was a market selling local crafts and artisan goods in this square. There is also a statue of Ferdinand Magellan in this square.
We had a 1.5 hour bus journey to visit a penguin colony called The Otway Colony. They are called the Magellanic penguins - we saw their nesting grounds and were very close to them - the chicks were really fluffy and cute. We also had fantastic views across the sound to the Andes Mountains - our first view of them. That evening we went to a great restaurant called Sotitos - wonderful service and food - tired congria - a local fish - excellent.
