Geoff Brock & Bruce Gamble
         
     
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Patagonia: Estancia visit +
Punta Loma Nature Reserve
Monday 12th November 2018
 
The view from our balcony, looking out across the sheltered natural harbour of Puerto Madryn.
 
I tried out my new lens, a lovely gift from Linda and Derek, for the first time.
 
Looking left, I got a clear view of our ship. Unlike last night, when it appeared that nobody was there, today there was of lot of activity. I could only imagine how busy everybody was, as they took on fuel and supplies which would allow a hundred passengers and an unknown number of crew members to be self-sufficient for a nineteen day voyage to a very unforgiving region of the planet.
 
Looking right, I could see three flags (Argentinian, Welsh and one representing the native Tehuelche people). This is where 150 Welsh immigrants came ashore on 28 July 1865, founding the town which they named Porth Madryn. There are still lots of Welsh connections in the town and many people here still have Welsh surnames.
 
 
A slight change of sequence for today's programme - we visited a nearby Estancia first, then, after lunch we went to the nature reserve.
 
 
The landscape and the ranch itself reminded me of the Karoo, in South Africa...
 
...except that in the Karoo, I don't think you'd find some of the wildlife we saw here.
 
 
 
Walking past the sheep, which were all waiting to be sheared, ...
 
...we gathered in the sheep-shearing hall.
 
 
We were treated to some local food specialities.
I think these were small empanadas.
 
This pet guanaco wandered in from outside, much to our amusement. It didn't care for Kristine!
 
Are you laughing at me?
 
Take that!
 
You'll be next if you're not careful!
 
Before the sheep shearing demonstration, we were introduced to maté, a caffeine-rich, bitter-tasting drink which is so much more than just that, both traditionally and culturally.
 
Derek didn't seem that keen on it. My reaction speaks for itself!

 
Volunteers carried in a sheep for shearing.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After the shearing demonstration, lunch was served in the large dining room next door. We were told that this was a traditional Patagonian barbeque.
 
After lunch we had some free time to look around the estancia (or ranch, as I would descibe it)
 
 
 
A bit close for comfort. I didn't fancy getting spat at!
 
 
 
 
Back on the coach, we drove to the nearby Punta Loma Nature reserve, to see the sea lions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I loved the little we had seen of northern Patagonia. It made me want to go back there one day.
 
Next stop, back to Puerto Madryn and on to the Island Sky!
 
 
©Geoff Brock and Bruce Gamble