Puerto Desado

Sunday 28th November

We were up early to catch the bus to Puerto Deseado which left 90 minutes late and then we had to change bus in Rawson. We arrived at 22.00 and took the taxi to Hotel Colon which was old but fine. The shower had no filter so it was like standing under a waterfall!

Monday 29th November

Very windy and cold. Full weatherproof gear was being worn. Went down to the river and booked a trip along the estuary for the next day. We found the internet cafe and booked to go overnight to Puerto Santa Cruz on Wednesday. Barca 5 Madrid 0. Saw the second half at the bus station. Marvellous! We had the worst dinner of the trip at Drugstore Quick (not a drugstore and not quick), super pollo!!! Vomitatous. We have pictures which you may see later. This place is to be avoided at all costs. The port is totally blocked by the coastguard so you cannot get in. God alone knows why.

Tuesday 30th November

Windy and cold. We turned up for our trip down the river at 15.00. No trip, not enough passengers. They had our mobile number but could not explain why they didn´t phone us. They did phone us the day before offering a different trip and confirming this trip. Unprofessional bastards! As always I was very calm and told them that I was not happy in a very nice way!

We saw another advert for a trip the next day and put our name down in case there were enough customers. There were not, so no river trip for us. Spent a lot of time in the Internet cafe booking stuff.

Wednesday 1st December

Windy, windy. Took a 2 km walk along the estuary into the wind. It was lovely and we saw lots of sea birds and a hare. We took lunch at the only restaurant worthy of its name in Puerto Deseado, Puerto Cristal which was unique for restaurants in Argentina. They actually had everything on the menu!

There was a juvenile guanaco tied up to a lamp post at the Prefectura (Coast guard). It transpired it had hurt its leg and someone was caring for it until it could be returned to the campo! Marianne had a nice stroke.

We caught the the bus at 19.15 to Puerto Santa Cruz via Caleta Olivia. The connecting bus arrived 75 minutes late at Caleta Olivia at 02.00. Being seasoned travellers we took this in our stride and managed to get some more buses booked to pass the time.

Verdict on Puerto Deseado. No hostels on Hostelworld. Very limited opportunities for trips. Perhaps better in high season but I wouln´t go beyond the foot of out stairs. Perfect for those enjoying winds of 65kmph.