January 30 and 31, 2017 Cruising Day on board the Infinity and Puerto Madryn, Argentina- 2017 Cruise to South American & Cape Horn

January 30, 2017 – Cruising Day on board  the Infinity

Quiet day at sea on our way to Puerto Madryn. Attended a cooking class, an afternoon piano concert and met some friends for a martini tasting at the ship’s Martini Bar: classic martini, peartini, raspberry martini, blu martini, pomegranate martini and leche martini.

Martini Tasting was a hit with the Robson Ranch Road Runners Group.  Fun to try the 6 different flavors and an entertaining show.

  

   

     

January 31, 2017 – Puerto Madryn Argentina

Arrived in Puerto Madryn, a city in a very protected bay on the Atlantic Coast in Patagonia. The name of the city is a Welch word as it was founded by a group of people who immigrated from Wales to avoid living under the rule of the English king. As you approach the shore going down the dock the first thing you see is about 20 rusting ships. At first we thought that this might be a place where old ships are taken apart for their steel, but it turns out that Argentina is very protective of its fishing rights and imposes such a high fine for violations that often the violator simply forfeits their boat because it is worth less than the fine.

  

    The Celebrity Infinity docked.

Next you run into an enormous aluminum plant which supplies all the aluminum needs of Argentina and still allows about 20% for export. The plant is in the process of doubling its capacity. The jobs at the plant largely make the town on this remote coast possible. There is a small fishing fleet and we were told that because Argentina is a beef eating country, 80% of the seafood caught is exported.

We were surprised at how arid the Patagonia region of Argentina is. There are almost no trees, thin soil and low growing shrubs. Much like the high desert of New Mexico. There is only one river that marks the northern edge of Patagonia. Average yearly rainfall is 8” which compares to 32” in the north Texas area. And the wind!!! If you do not like wind, don’t live here. The wind blows everyday, the only question is how hard ranging generally between 30 and 55 miles per hour. There are massive sheep ranches comprising thousands of acres and salt flats where salt used to be mined.

    

We road on a bus for two hours to reach  a UNESCO World Heritage site at the Valdes Peninsula. The peninsula is one of the largest wildlife refuges in South America. There is a narrow isthmus where bays come in from two sides. After passing through the isthmus, the peninsula widens out sort of like an axe head and becomes the giant wildlife refuge.

You pass through a check point then stop at a visitors center to get yourself oriented then began your bus journey through the refuge in order to visit the various locations where then animals hang out.

    

The Travel Center had a lot of nice information with maps where the animals and birds are located

   

Elephant Seal                                      Whale skeleton                                          Birds

Orca skeleton head and Rheas which are related to the ostrich but much smaller.

   

Edward checking out the map and outside of the Travel Center they have a lookout.

 

I think this is the only tree we saw on the peninsula and it is at the Travel Center.

In addition to the sea lions, penguins and elephant seals, We saw a funny looking creature called a Harry Armadillo; saw Guanacos which are a relative of the llama, and Rheas which are related to the ostrich. It is good to see areas like this and know that wildlife is protected.

We saw a colony of sea lions, a large colony of Magellan Penguins and finally a colony of Elephant Seals. In the winter months, it is a gathering place for Southern Right Whales and Killer Whales, however, both species are in the Southern Ocean this time of year. Actually, we are beginning to believe that whales are unicorns, that is, they do not exist. This is our 15th cruise, we have spent over 200 days on the worlds oceans, have made 4 Atlantic crossings and now sailed the Southern Ocean all without ever having seen a whale. Do they exist are are all those pictures photo shopped? 

Puerto Pyramids and the only urban center of Valdes Peninsula is surrounded by cliffs resembling pyramids and the water is crystal clear.  A popular spot for water sports and activities.  The sand and winds have carved out the cliffs to be similar to pyramids.

   

Sea Lions and birds

   

   
The male sea lions are more than twice the weight of the females  - Can you spot the males?
   
Here are some Mom, Dad and baby having a fun time.
   
Sea Lion on the beach below the high cliffs.    Edward taking a rest from the walk and steps from the top of the cliffs.  The whales are in this area but not the right time for us.

   
Sign about the whales and a whale jaw bone.
   
The road in the park down to Valdes Peninsula to get a box lunch and continue traveling to see the penguins.
   
  
Elaine with the baby penguins.  Moms and Dads are on the beach.




Baby in a burrow.
 
                                           Mom and Dad going up to the babies.  Bird on the beach waiting on a scrap.
Next the Elephant Seals are lazy and mainly not doing anything but sunning and sleeping. 

       It was really windy at this point.

We saw a few more Rheas on the way back to the ship.

 

     Chaetophractus villosus or the Big Hairy Armadillo is abundant in Argentina.  We saw one in the parking lot but he ran under a car and the bus left and I didn't get a picture.

   

Guanacos which are a relative of the llama crossing the road.  They are also similar to a small camel as they can go long periods without food or water and legs move the same as camels.