Port Stanley is the only
place that was a dry landing. We still used the zodiacs to get to the pier, but
we stepped out onto dry land. So, instead of the muck boots you could wear your
own footwear, but since we were still arriving by zodiac we still had to wear
the waterproof parka and waterproof pants. About half of the ship opted to
spend the day in the colorful town of Stanley. They also offered an optional
excursion through a local tour operator for an additional $24.00pp to Gypsy
Cove for wildlife and scenic beauty.
Miko
Stanley from the ship
Kayaks on a zodiac being lowered into the water
me waiting for our zodiac to be called
We did the optional
excursion to Gypsy Cove which had beautiful vistas and we got to see
Black-crowned Night Herons nesting with chick as well as Rock Shags with
chicks. It was a beautiful warm sunny day. Since the weather was so nice the
Magellanic Penguins left their boroughs on the hill and went down to the beach.
There is a cute video in my Picasa Web Albums that show a small group of them
coming together like they were having a meeting. https://picasaweb.google.com/AKanies
our ship from shore
the pier
we wandered a bit waiting for the bus to be loaded
transportation to Gypsy Cove
we're in the middle
arrival at Gypsy Cove
Magellanic Penguins on the beach
Magellanic Penguin
Black-crowned Night Heron & chicks
FEED ME!
the parent flew off to get food
juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons
Cormorant (aka Rock Shag) with chicks
juvenile Black-crowned Night Herons
me
Shags
Greg
Ordnance Point
White-bridled Finch
The weather in the past few
weeks had been cold and rainy in the Falklands and the residents were thrilled
to have such a beautiful day. So were we! Jackets had to come off as it was
downright toasty. After that we had a couple hours in Stanley and we walked the
road along the shore and another street a block or so up. Such a colorful
beautiful town! We stopped at Malvina House Hotel for lunch and we had fish
& chips and a tasty lamb kabob lunch.
photos on the bus ride back to Stanley
back at the visitor's center
we walked the coastal road
Black-crowned Night Heron
this is a shared photo of a house that has a yard full of gnomes
House Sparrow
We had lunch here at Malvinas House Hotel & Restaurant
Liberation Monument
sea lion on the pier
We saw the only Sea Lion of
the trip as we were leaving the pier in the zodiac. It was just sleeping at the
end of it. We saw them do that a lot in the Galapagos Islands. Antarctica has
Seals, not Sea Lions, so it was a treat to see one on this trip.
Here are some photos of our sail away from Stanley:
the gangway steps being raised back onto the ship
Stanley & the cemetery in the background
Kelp Gull
Cape Pembroke Lighthouse
lots of Shags on nests
Rockhopper Penguins swimming by the ship
Today was the first time
that the kayakers got to go out. The conditions were too rough at the other 4
stops. They weren’t obligated to kayak if they chose to go ashore and they also
could kayak and then go ashore for a short time.
We also learned that when it
came over the loudspeaker that whales were spotted from the bridge, the dining
room clears out in a heartbeat. (same reaction if dolphins, icebergs or birds
were sighted) No good photos, but a few sightings. We learned to always bring
the camera to dinner and be prepared to dash out on deck at any point in time
on the trip.
Whale blow
Here is todays’ program:
Falkland Islands
Port Stanley
06:00 - 07:00 A Continental Breakfast is served in the Main Lounge
07:00 - 08:00 Breakfast is served in the Dining Room
TBA
We plan to commence disembarkation to Stanley
Stanley was established in the early
1840’s. The site was selected on several criteria, namely
Its’ sheltered harbour easily
accessible to sailing vessels, plentiful supply of freshwater from
nearby Moody Brook and the abundance
of peat fuel in the surrounding area. By 1846 the
essential buildings had been
completed and the new town had taken shape. Life in Stanley
was hard however, due to isolation
and rough weather.
Stanley was used as a port of call
by sealers and whalers until late in the 19th century. This was followed by a period of sheep
farming which became the islands’ primary industry until the 1980’s. In 1982 Argentina occupied
and invaded the islands in what is known as the Falklands War. The locals were eventually
liberated by British soldiers but signs of battle are still prevalent in Stanley to this day.
The Falklands’ current economy is based on income from the sale of fishing licenses which are
heavily monitored.
Stanley has a population of
approximately 2,050 residents. The local currency is the Falkland Island’s pound (which is on par with
the Sterling). The British pound, U.S. dollar and major credit cards are accepted in all
shops and places of business, however, change is normally given in local currency.
Highlights
of Stanley include a superb museum, the War Memorial, the Post Office, Government House with
its botanical gardens and the church with its whalebone statue. There are also many restaurants
and pubs where you can try the local cuisine for lunch.
Disembarkation sequence: Those going
to Gypsy Cove then, those staying in Stanley.
13:30 Lunch is served in the Dining Room
14:00 The last Zodiac will return from Stanley to the vessel
19:00 Please join the Expedition Staff for a Re-cap & Briefing
about tomorrows events
19:30 Dinner is served in the Dining Room
21:15 Please join Abbey in the Main Lounge for her bar talk, “Haida
Gwaii: A Look Into the culture, Art and Natural Beauty”
“The world is only tolerable
because of the empty spaces in it – millions of people all crowded together, fighting
and struggling, but behind them, somewhere, are enormous, empty places. Man
needs an empty space somewhere for the spirit to rest in.” - Doris Lessing
Sunrise: 04:33
Sunset: 21:04
sunset starting
We now have 2 days at sea as
we make our way to the South Georgia Islands.
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