The Falkland Islands – Penguins & Patriotism

22nd February, 2023

Nothing much to report about the journey north to the Falkland Islands other than my coming down with sinusitis, which for those who have been lucky enough not to experience it, is a combination of severe headache and toothache. I really thought I might not get it this time, but no, there it was, so we went and saw the doctor who prescribed some antibiotics, which I hope will do the trick.

It was a beautiful, sunny morning as we dropped anchor near Port Stanley. Val and I had not signed up for a tour (unusually expensive – maybe you received a free penguin!!), so after a transfer on the tender, we arrived at the dock to be greeted by many familiar sights such as a George VI postbox and red telephone kiosks.

We did join up with another pair and negotiated a trip to see some local penguins, which was brilliant. These are largely Gentoo (soft G) penguins, but there were also some Magellanic (also soft G) and 3 King penguins and as ever, they are delightful. Admittedly they don’t do a great deal and it is not the most difficult wildlife photography trip I will ever had, but they are still rather magical.

We were then driven back to town, stopping off to view the wreck of the Lady Elizabeth, a ship built in Sunderland in 1879, which limped into Port Stanley in 1912, but they could not afford the repairs so she has been here ever since. You may recall that the SS Great Britain also was a wreck in the Falkland Islands, but was rescued and is now in Bristol.

Henry, our Chilean guide, dropped us off at the excellent museum at the other end of Port Stanley. Lots and lots of information about the original sighting, charting and claiming of the islands as well, inevitably, of the 1982 war, which was such a major event for the islanders.

We then walked down the main road along the waterfront, which is just about it for Port Stanley. The whole population of the islands is about 3,300 of which about 3,000 are in Port Stanley. You get the feeling everyone knows everyone else. There is one petrol station, one vet, one police station, one post office, one hospital, but lots of pubs!!

A nice day out and the penguins were enchanting. We had to remind ourselves that this was a good day in the Falklands, so it made one wonder what the rest of the time was like. Not sure we will be moving there any time soon!!

OK, 2 posts today, taking advantage of the Wi-Fi we purchased on board. Next stop, after 3 days of sailing north is Montevideo, Uruguay, tomorrow. More soon.