Blogs from East Falkland, Falkland Islands, South America

Saturday 2 February – Day 1: Stanley & Bleaker Island, Falklands before we travel to South Georgia & Antarctica The information we received from One Ocean about our 18-day adventure through the southern globe was: THE CLASSIC VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY VISITING THREE UNIQUE LOCATIONS This is One Ocean’s most far-reaching polar expedition and includes visits to three different locations. The sub-Antarctic Falkland Islands and the island of South Georgia are home to a proliferation of unique wildlife and birdlife. There are penguin rookeries with more than 100,000 nesting birds and the beaches are covered in fur seals and elephant seals. Seabirds, including many of the albatross species call these islands home, nesting and raising their young in this wild and remote environment. Both locations feature a fascinating history and stunning scenery. To the south lies Ant ... read more

On our way , 262 miles to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands. 58 knot winds make for a rough ride but I think most are getting used to it. Not many missing meals. The Zaandam handles the heavy weather well. We took the bottle of Champagne that Kate won up to the Crowsnest Lounge. They will chill it for us and we will share with our friends. Tommorow, Penguins! Some of the best weather conditions possible here on the Falkland's for todays visit. CAVU ( ceiling and visibility unlimited). Our guide mentioned , 2 days earlier we would have had to sail right past. The winds they blow! Boarding the tender I got the best seat on the boat, right at the entrance door, great for views and picture taking. Then about 30 gallons of sea came ... read more

The Britishness of the Falkland Islands is very apparent - the islanders are British and are proud to be flying Her Majesty’s flag. The streets of Stanley are abuzz with Landrovers and Ford Transits and have a very British look with the terraced houses and well-groomed gardens. I was in my element in the FIC (the local supermarket) with its loaded shelves of penguin biscuits, Ambrosia rice pudding, and other sweet goodies that are typically only available on British soil… I marched out of the store with an open packet of Galaxy Minstrels, I sat by the public jetty in Stanley’s large natural harbour and consumed them, then went to the pub for some pub-grub - fish and chips. I’ve also squirreled away many treats for the wild sea days that lie ahead of us. There ... read more

As we finished our approach to the Falkland Islands we were rushing about having breakfast and getting ready to go ashore at 8.45am. Our tickets for the King Penguins 4x4 Adventure stated that we needed to meet in the Mondrian Lounge at 8.35am for an 8.45am departure. We checked in at the desk at 8.30am and we were allocated to Vehicle 11. Whoa, there are some fellow passengers who are really keen to see those penguins because that makes us about 41st and 42nd to check-in. Unfortunately though, it was 09:30 before we officially arrived. With the tenders not being released until after we were anchored our start to the day's activity was a little delayed. The first tender of the day was eventually under way filled with keen 4x4 adventurers. When we arrived in Port ... read more

Geo: -51.701, -57.8492... read more