- Drive to the penguin colony at Punta Tombo
- One million Magellanic penguins walking tour
- Near collision with a guanaco
- Return the car in Puerto Madryn
- Night bus to Buenos Aires
We use the sluggish internet connection to book a hotel in the city center of Buenos Aires. A little late we make our way to Trelew and continue on the lonely Routa 3 towards Punta Tombo. Protected by a Provinicial Park, up to breed here every summer one million Magellanic penguins. As for the place largest penguin colony outside of Antarctic waters power. Fortunately, only the last 22 km of the journey lead over a gravel road, so that we finally arrive there around 1 p.m.
The visitors - mainly locals - are brought to the starting point of the path by shuttle bus. Well hidden in caves under all the bushes the waterfowl raise their young here. The heat seems to be quite annoying to the penguins, they literally gasp and the cubs beg their parents for food. From time to time one of the hardly shy penguins crosses the pathwhich is funny to look at caused by the waddling penguin walk.
The ground on both sides of the path is literally riddled with breeding caves, but hidden by the bushes it is relatively difficult to get a real impression of the breathtaking numbers. This works best down on the beach, where the Returnees rest in large groups. So that the penguins have to cross the human path a little less can be found in some places elevated sidewalks. Their shade, in turn, is used by numerous birds to cool off. Other wild animals can also be observed here, such as hiking Guanacos and a Rhea Birds of prey circle around and in the air.
After almost two hours we have to start the long way back to get ours Return the car punctually at 6 p.m. in Puerto Madryn. One last time we drive on the endless streets through the Patagonian Pampas. Hardly anywhere else have I experienced deserted distances through barren grass and scrubland as here. Shortly after the start of the journey, we survive a long one Moment of shockwhen a guanaco runs right in front of our car. At the last moment I manage to brake slightly and the animal escapes by a hair's breadth.
We take a taxi to the bus station, where we change briefly and then the Andesmar-Night bus to Buenos Aires climb. A round will be used as a pastime bingo played, unfortunately we do not count ourselves among the lucky winners of a bottle of wine.
