9. Penguins!

First of all I am happy to be able to report some good news. We teamed up with the Austrian couple for yesterday afternoons trivia and came in equal first. Even the tie break could not separate us, so we all won one of Princesses much coveted key ring mini torches. As you can imagine we were all rather underwhelmed.

Around 6pm in the evening we entered the Magellan Straits. Although it remained rather misty at times, the change in the weather and especially the sea conditions was almost instantaneous as we were protected from the prevailing winds by the land on our starboard side. The land itself was very bleak, the vegetation sparse and many of the peaks were snow covered. The Straits are also very narrow in places which just added to the sense of natural beauty.

So today we have been in Punta Arenas, the largest town of any consequence on the South American mainland and gateway to Patagonia. An early start meant room service breakfast and then we set off to catch the ferry to Magdalena Island and hopefully for one of the highlights of our holiday.

We were not disappointed! Upon arrival at the island we were met by a welcoming committee of Magellanic penguins, some 70,000 pairs of them. I defy anybody not to grin broadly watching these cute little birds waddling comically across the beach, across the pathway and up to their burrows. As it is still relatively early in the season, many of the burrows harboured one, or even two chicks, easily identifiable by their fluffy feathers and being fussed over by Mum and Dad. We kept them company for an hour or so and then reluctantly it was time to board the ferry for the return journey back to the port. On the way back we spotted a small number of spouts from whales although we did not see enough of them to be able to provide identification.

Safely back, we then set out to explore a little of Punta Arenas itself and joined the locals going about their last minute Christmas Eve shopping. The Main Street was certainly busy and the craft markets were doing a roaring trade from both locals and tourists alike. Obviously, the whole Christmas Eve atmosphere was very different to anything I have experienced before...but in a good way!

Tonight, being special, is a formal night and having been with penguins for the morning it is now my turn to put on my penguin suit and join them. There are carols being sung in the atrium before we go to dinner and then the Christmas Eve party gets under way in the Explorers Lounge later on.

So, for all those loyal readers who enjoy my little travel musings, I wish you all a very happy Christmas!