Puerto Santa Cruz

Thursday 2nd December

Arrived at 09.00 and took a taxi the 5 blocks to Hotel Monte Leon. Did not sleep but took a coffee by the river (no wild life). Found the tourist office, no sign or office hours but very new. There was a tour to PN Monte Leon the next day. Could not book it but be at the tourist office at 09.00. We went to the Pioneer Museum and the Cultural Museum both fine and free. This place was founded in the 20´s. Windy, windy.

We were fed up with burgers and milanesas (breaded escallops) so the hotel owner suggested a local place 2 blocks up. It was a parilla, butchers, grocers and greengrocers that also sold booze.  We had wonderful take away of steak , chips, salad, 2 beers, 1 water and 1 apple for Eur 9. Wonderful value. We were in bed by 9.

Friday 3rd December

We went to the tourism office. No sign of the bus and no reason given for non arrival. It transpired that it was the first week of operation of the bus, well it would have been if it had started. We were offered a taxi to and from the National Park with the driver waiting 3 hours there for ARS250. It was that or nothing so we took it.

We went the 50kms on paved road to the park entrance and registered then 20 kms on dirt road with more guanacos and choikes than you could shake a stick at. First stop was a 2 1/2 km walk to the penguin colony with warning signs for what to do if you see a puma. (No mention made of clean underwear). 60,000 penguins later we were back at the car. Lots of chicks were in the nests. Then on to an island full of sea birds and walks along the beach. I estimate that the tide was about 7 metres high. Serious stuff!

The coffee shop (20 kms from anywhere) was open. We were the only visitors to the Park that day which is the first Coastal Parque Nacional in Argentina. Took a lunch of ham, cheese and tomato with coffee for as and the driver and got back at 16.30. Marvellous day.

Had chicken from the same parilla which was more expensive at Eur 10. Marianne said we had more bottles in the price so that was OK.

We went to bed quite early because the bus to Rio Gallegos was scheduled to leave at 09.45 on Saturday.