December 31 – New Years Eve at Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn in the distance as we pulled into port looked like a resort town:
Greeting our arrival into the port were Southern Giant Petrels
We booked another wildlife excursion for Puerto Madryn to (hopefully) see dolphins and, yes, more sea lions. As with many of the other excursions we booked, the exact details were very fuzzy. We had talked to Luis in the excursions desk the day we boarded – there was concern about the very long walk to the end of the pier to get to the excursion boat. Luis said he would be there to get me some help.
Turns out there was a regular shuttle running between the dock and the end of the pier. Unfortunately, the shuttle driver was confused as to why we were taking the shuttle if we were on an excursion. Finally, Andy, said, “This is what they told us to do”, and we were able to take the shuttle to the end of the pier to meet up with the group.
I was a little concerned about the mechanics of climbing into the zodiac boat, but the walk on the beach to the boat was very short, and the crew helped me climb up the ladder and into the boat without a problem.
It was an absolutely glorious day! Low 70s, sunny, nary a cloud in the sky.
We rode out for a bit before arriving to a spot where we were likely to see dolphins. I always managed to be on the wrong side of the boat, but I was able to capture something of a dusky dolphine.
We traveled to a different spot to see sea lions and cormorants
Also visiting with us were a couple of snowy sheathbirds
And many sea lions.
We also saw jellyfish floating in the water. Our tour guide said these didn’t sting. You can just about make out the blobby white shape just under the water.
Back on the beach, I managed to climb down from the boat onto the sand without hurting myself!
On the dock was this monument.
Andy took a few minutes to run into a souvenir shop, but the stores were all closing early for New Years.
The dessert at dinner was baked Alaska, and also this fabulous chocolate macaron.
We didn’t participate in any of the ship’s New Years activities – we were both very tired, and I felt a cold coming on. I think I woke up long enough to see the countdown on the TV flip to 12:00.
Happy 2026!
Tomorrow: last day at sea.
January 2: Punta del Este, Uruguay – more sea lions!
Maryland Meshugas 