Blogs from Falkland Islands, South America - page 2

Geo: -51.7963, -59.5236Well are three miles from Stanley port in the Falkland Islands anchored in the bay. It is windy and cold. But we are here. Apparently only about 50% of the cruises actually get to anchor here because of the weather. This is a British colony even though Argentina claims it as well because of its closeness them. As recent as 1982 there was war over this. We had an excursion to see penguins today but after talking to crew I decided for safety issues I would not go. So Dave is off to explore on his own. It is a 30 minute tender ride just to get to port. It is very windy and cold. We have sea day tomorrow and back to warmer weather. Supposed to change from forties today to the 70's ... 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

Sunday January 31st, 2016. Port Stanley, Falkland Islands We went for a posh breakfast and then waited patiently for the tender service to start. We were booked on our first ship's tour so we knew we would be able to disembark fairly promptly (wrong!). Just like last year the tender operation was shambolic. We sat in the cabin and waited for our tender (No 8) to be called. After what seemed like an age we found ourselves chugging towards land. Once off the tender in Port Stanley at the other side there was a large sign saying "Welcome to the Falkland Islands". Also referred to as Stanley, this is the capital of the Falkland Islands. It is located on the East Falkland Island, on a north facing slope on one of the wettest parts of the ... read more

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