Love these guys playing chess. They asked me to join in!

After a much needed lazy morning & a wonderful hot shower, we took a wander around La Serena. We came across the market which is full of the usual tourist tat & these brilliant alpaca rugs. Really wanted one but sadly not enough room in my pack.

Within an hour of arriving at the hostel we were off to the National Humboldt Penguin Reserve!! Very brave after only a few hours sleep. The two hours to Punto de Choros passed quickly as was just to happy to see the sea after so long. Other than the coastline the landscape in this part of Chile is not especially beautiful. Almost all is dry scrubland. As passed Los Choros, heading towards the sea we passed a herd of Huahacos ( a relative of the llama and kn...

The National Humboldt Penguin Reserve consists of two islands. Isla Choros & Isla Damas. The reserve is reached by little fishing boats. Getting into the boat proved a spot difficult for me as the water was ridiculously choppy so one moment the boat was just a step away & the next, lower than my little legs can reach. As a result I fell flat on my behind!! We chugged around Isla Choros first & were treated to Humboldt Penguins waddling up & down ...

We we treated to some acrobatics from the usually shy sea otters & then a small pod of 6 bottle nose dolphins swam up to & beside the boat. They were absolutely beautiful. A deep dark grey. Felt magical!