On the way to the Falkland Islands

Sunday, February 5, 2012 – at sea

Superbowl celebration in the showroom at sea for all those interested. For those of us not interested, myself included, I enjoyed the movie “Endurance” about the Shackleton excursions in 1916+ to the Antarctica. What a brave and honorable man he was; he proved many times that the safety of his men came first, above his mission goals. He died on a voyage of a heart attack and is buried on King George Island.

We anchored from 10PM and overnight in the harbor for a quiet night. Glad to have gotten this far with no mishaps. AND for a night of calm seas.

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” - Miriam Beard

Monday, February 6, 2012 – Falkland Islands! Yeah! Population 2000+; sheep 700,000

We made it. After all the rough weather and being anchored overnight, we were off on tenders very early. Those departing after us had very rough seas and some were very wet as they started to explore the island – not a good way to start the day. Some had to buy dry socks!!

We hired a taxi for a short drive to Gypsy Cove to see the Magellan penguins on the beach. They were burrowing and squawking on the beautiful cove and beach. Surprisingly, there were unexploded mines in the area so you had to stay on the path. At the end, there was a WWII piece of artillery.

We walked through Port Stanley, an easy place to explore on foot. English is the official language and British sterling is the currency. There are two main islands – East Falkland and West Falkland and there are 700 smaller islands. Two-thirds of the Falkland residents were born in the islands and most claim some British ancestry. All hold British passports.

Local homes typically have brightly colored roofs – perhaps to counter sometimes bleak weather. Many of the homes are fashioned in traditional British style. There are many sheep farmers and several species of penguins – Rockhopper, gentoo, macaroni, magellanic and king. There are over 30 shipwrecks in the Stanley harbor in various stages of disrepair. The jetty is built over four of them! The Anglican Christ Church Cathedral is the southernmost cathedral in the world. The town hall is the post office, law court, library and dance hall. Peat is the primary source of fuel. The land around Stanley is heavily mined and there are still areas that are marked as minefields from the bitter 74-day Falklands War of 1982 between Britain and Argentina.

BEAUTIFUL blue skies with very cold and fierce winds – and this is their SUMMER. Small rolling hills, with brown and beige patches of rock and lichen but no grass. Small peaks. Made for a “mean tender” ride to and from the ship. Our return tender was delayed over an hour as they moved the ship. You have never seen a tender move so gingerly through the water and even then many people got wet (myself included) as we returned to the ship. But we were safe. Hotel Manager, Cruise Director and Beverage Manager greeted us as we returned. That told me they realized what we were going through to return to the ship.

We’re ready for another 8+ hours of rough seas, per the Captain. Should be over by 11PM tonight—we’ll hope and see what actually happens. Michael Bacala, virtuoso violinist, was the entertainer.

“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 – at sea

Lectures, computer classes, Antarctica Forum with Captain Tim Roberts and the exploration team speakers and our ice pilot. Formal night with the Prinsendam singers and dancers performing.

“A journey is best measured in friends, rather in miles.” - Tim Cahill

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 – at sea on the way to Buenos Aires, Argentina

Tea extravaganza in the afternoon. Worked. Jason Chase, comedian, was the entertainer.