The Welsh Part Of Argentina and The Falklands

Tuesday 22nd we were at sea for the day. A somewhat hot day so it was spent on deck getting the sun and relaxing. In the evening prior to dinner, we went to yet another gala evening attended by the captain and again more free booze.

Wednesday we arrived in Puerto Madryn, Argentina at around 0800hrs. This town has a population of around 65,000. The town is an industrial center, a major port and has a large fishing fleet. Tourists flock to this area for the superb scuba diving and to see the birds,whales, penguins and sea lions in the nearby wildlife reserves.The first Welsh emigrants to Ptagonio landed near here in 1865. We took a tour to a welsh village for tea and cakes. Not only did we have the eats and drinks but were entertained by a choir singing in the welsh language although I think they were all Argentine.

Next day at sea and the following day, Friday 25th we arrived at the Falklands, Port Stanley. The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas in Spanish) comprise of two main islands, East and West Falklands and over seven hundred smaller islands, meaning a total land area of about 4,700 square miles. They lie some 300 miles to the east of Argentina in the South Atlantic.This isolated dependent territory of Great Britain is 8,000 miles from the home country. Port Stanley, the capital and only place of any size, is situated on the east coast of East Falkland. The population is around 2,960 and in fact sheep outnumber humans to the ratio of 350 to 1. The average daytime December temperature is about 15c and summers are characterized by strong winds. Whilst we were there the temperature managed about 17c and the winds virtually lifted us off our our feet. Port Stanley is on the same latitude south of the equator as Watford is to the North. We decided to take a tour through the battlefields and was fortunate enough to have a very knowledgeable guide which made the tour very interesting. Many memorials were visited as there are a great deal of them on the island. Ok so now it is time to travel by their transport and return to the ship when the coach breaks down. A rescue party had to be sent to a nearby settlement for held and before long a tractor arrived and managed to get us started. The coach, so we were told, was doing its last trip and was then being put out to stud, not before too long as not only did it break down but kept filling inside with dust from the roads. Think this tells you something of their wonderful transport system.

As it was Burns Day, in the evening at dinner, the comedian on board, Jimmy Nairn, addressed the haggis. After dinner a bit of culture for me, as we went to some classical music and singing concert. Although not generally for me, must admit that they were quite good. All that excitement over, a drink and then to bed as we were now preparing ourselves for the Antarctic.

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