Patagonia’s most iconic inhabitants are arguably the gauchos: skilled horsemen/horsewomen and Argentina’s answer to the cowboy/cowgirl. This morning, Paul, Estefi and I saw some in action, as they accompanied us on a horse ride in a nearby estancia.
Despite the experience gained from my mule ride up the Salkantay Pass, the gauchos were rather more adept at riding than we were! It was fascinating watching the synergy between them and their animals.
The ride took us up the side of an enormous, U-shaped, glacial valley. I found it irresistibly calming to journey through such an epic landscape with my equine companion…
Patagonia’s most iconic prehistoric inhabitants are the dinosaurs. A wealth of fossils have been found here, including that of the Patagotitan mayorum, claimed to be the largest known dinosaur. After lunch at the estancia, I enjoyed seeing the fossil casts (of smaller but no less impressive dinosaurs) that are displayed at the El Calafate history museum:
There were also casts of the skeletons of giant mammals, which were contemporaneous with the early humans:
Other displays recorded, in rather depressing detail, the mistreatment of the indigenous people by the European settlers in the region. A painful history from which many lessons can be learned: not least to be grateful for the many blessings we enjoy today…
Around the World in 70 Days 
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