Sunday, February 5, 2012

Punta Arenas -  John is a bit under the weather so we cut out the trip to Tierra del Fuego and are now back at La Estancia hostel in Punta Arenas.

La Estancia - simple, but haimish.

 Today Laura and I drove north a ways and took a ferry to Riesco Island, as I understand it, designated a wildlife refuge.  

Isla Riesco ferry at the dock.

However, a mining company owns the mineral rights and has opened a large strip mine.  A large coal field extends from here into Argentina.  On the island, all of the estansias (farms and ranches) appear abandoned, apparently bought out by the coal company.

Abandoned estancia

 A spectacular trip though on a dirt road hugging the coast in winds as strong as I have ever encountered.

Coastal road on Riesco

Windy

Saw two adult pairs of black necked swans and three cygnets, plus many rheas, geese, oystercatchers, and many other birds we could not identify.

Rhea along road to the ferry

Black necked swans with cygnets

We cooked dinner in the hostel tonight.  I had expected to miss the Super Bowl - not a big deal to me - but an Aussie staying here had it on the TV just outside the kitchen.  It never occurred to me that the game would be broadcast here, but of course ESPN is everywhere  So I have been watching while helping cook and doing the dishes.  The half-time show is over.  Time for bed.