Nov 21 2018 - Penguins, Penguins, and More Penguins

Went on about to see Magdalena and Marta Islands. Magdalena is filled with thousands of penguins. Marta has sea lions and sea wolves.
I stood outside on the back of the boat the whole time we were on it. I like the outside better than the cramped, hot, inside. You had to hold on tight, so as not to fall due to the waves. We were in the Straights of Magellan and it was a clear day, so I expected waves more like Lake Erie. But we are so far south that we are below all the continents except Antartica. This means the wind can blow all around the world and only be stopped by South America. The Straights are interior, so get some benefit. I can only imagine being on a ship in the ocean here.
I went to the toilet, as they call it during the boat ride. That's a trip. Imagine a tight space... let's just say you take your life in your hands.
We finally arrived at Maddalena Island. There were thousands of penguins. We had a path to walk on, but every one in a while the penguins ignored the signs and crossed in front of us or walked down our path. We had been warned up front, that it's their island, so the penguins always have the right of way.
Watching the penguins was fascinating (wonder if they say the same about us?). Meant were sitting on eggs in their little hole in the ground (thus the reason for their alternate name, burrow penguin). Some would collect grass from nearby and take it into their home for the nests.
At one point I heard a horrible noise - it sounded like a sea lion, but there weren't supposed to be any on this island. I look around and it's one of the penguins. Next thing I know, another responds back. I guess it was a mating call - you can't miss the attention of the suitor, that's for sure.
But all was not perfect on the penguin's islands. Every story needs a villain, and they have one too. The Chilean Skua. A brown bird that will steal from its neighbors (their name derives from "salteadora", which means "highwayman"). Specifically, given a chance, they will steal and eat the eggs of the penguins. This helps with overpopulation, but poor penguins! was
There was also ?? Birds. They were fun to earn fly. I came across a couple odd birds which appeared to be fighting. Nope. It was a mating ritual (kissing? Life fighting? Not sure).
After an hour, we headed off to Marta island and the sea lions. It was too small of an island to get off without disturbing the wildlife, so we watched from the boat. The island reminded me of a really thick quarter slightly tilted, sitting on top of the water. At the water there was a cliff. There were hundreds (maybe thousands?) of sea lions lying on the ledge at the bottom of the cliff. A few were playing in the water, but most of them were enjoying an afternoon nap - it looked like a Roman orgy.
At the top of the cliff was what looked like hundreds of penguins. Nope. After spending several minutes trying to figure out with others how they got up there, w were informed they were cormoran birds, that look a lot like penguins from a distance.
After returning to the mainland, we went for a large afternoon walk with our guide. The city was founded by Hernando Magellan, so their is a statue in one of the squares that does Magellan on the top. On opposite sides are statues of the two original native tribes. If you kiss the foot of one of the natives, it is said you will return to Chile. On ovne of the other sides is a mermaid holding two shields - one of Chile and the other of Spain.
We also stopped by a church. The inside was simple, yet beautiful. Sometimes simple really is best. We also passed buildings that had business on them. They looked like real streets & people. It was a great way to beautify, and yet add some fun to the area
Everyone wanted lamb for dinner, so our guide took us to a restaurant that had lamb on a skewer cooking for probably hours. I shared a large with someone given how late it was, and boy was I glad. The portions were huge. But it was excellent!
Tomorrow morning we fly a couple hours north to Port Montt.