OK I always thought that Patagonia was a separate country....but it is a region that is split between Chile and Argentina. Back in the 1890's they argued about who owned Patagonia, and surveyors/geographers from both countries could not agree, so some brits helped them out, and the line as drawn by these busybodies stands today.
Despite the dispute over borders the region is outstandingly (at last found a different adjective to "stunningly") beautiful in its raw nature, differing habitats and fauna/flora, as well as for the broad range of peoples attracted here from Europe (Wales, Germany, Sweden, Croatia, England to mention only a few). Have a look at this huge link
Patagonia which gives a v thorough description, and has some nice photos if you get bored with the reading bit.
Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes y Antarctica Chilena Region and is located on Parallel 53 South on the Straits of Magellan, south of the Patagonian Andes (right at the end of the American continent).
There are several places to see Penguins here (more specifically Magellan penguins)...
The Pinguinera is on the main land and is a protected breeding site....
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| ...View from the penguins front porch, looking out to the Magellan straits... |
During Jan and Feb " the young ones" change their fluffy feathers and begin to swim...
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| Pinguinos...the beginners class... |
Some of the penguins are just lazy and have the 'manana' view on life so they just lie down and admire the view...
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| feed me, feed me now! |
The penguins also have some interesting neighbours....
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| Ganso or Upland Goose |
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| ...Does my bum look big in this...no its a lesser Rhea... |
Punta Arenas has a lot of very old tin clad buildings, mostly around 100 years old. Some of these are in serious dis-repair...
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| we decided not to stay in this hostal..... |
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It also has some interesting 1930-50's style brick houses...
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| nice and bright... |
The city also has some nice....
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| yew trees.... |
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| ...statuary...Hernando Magellan |
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| ...posh villas for the great and the good... |
and as always some reference to the national hero...
You can also take a trip out to Isla Magdalena in the Magellan Straits to see...
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| You guessed it - Penguins |
But to do so you need to get up early...
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| The view from the hostal |
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Then take a boat...
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| The boat to Isla Magdalena |
Across the straits of Magellan...
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| Straits of Magellan |
On Isla Magdalena there are an estimated 69,000 pairs of penguins. Magellan Penguins are easily distinguished from Humboldt Penguins (seen on the Islas Ballestas in Peru).
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| Humboldt penguins don't smile! |
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| Magellan penguins do. |
Here are some photos of the penguins we saw during the hour we spent on the island.
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| Penguin real estate is a hole in the ground. |
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| Not quite a 6 pack - better keep exercising! |
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| I wish I could fly' right up to the sky but I can't. |
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| Time to top up the tan. |
After Isla Magdalena we visited Isla Marta to see the sea lions.
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| Sea Lion colony - Isla Marta |
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| A male - look at me I'm gorgeous |
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| The bull and his harem of females |
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| Young sea lions having their first dip in the sea |
We also saw some sea birds.
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| Kelp Gull |
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| Dolphin Gull...hiding behind a macho sea lion... |
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| Shearwater - possibly a sooty shearwater |
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| and lastly the very rare old sea dogs!!!! |
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