Dear Friends and Family,
This is our expedition ship, The Hebridean Sky, that brought us to the Falkland Islands after two days at sea from Ushuaia. Our first visit was to the West Island to West Point, where we visited by Zodiac, then hiked to an Albatross rookery which also had Gentoo Penguins . The birds did not seem bothered by us peering into their roost. Most of the eggs were hatched and there were very noisy fledglings left squawking for their parents. (very stinky too!) Here are some photos.

After our hike, we stopped by this small farm for homemade treats and tea. This island is very sparsely populated by humans but has lots of wildlife. We cruised to another stop called Saunders Bay where we saw more Gentoo, Magellanic, one Rock Hopper, and a few King Penguins. A group of King Penguins were “sitting” on eggs where they will not move from for a couple of months. The Kings are so majestic.

Magellanic Penguins

King Penguins

Rock Hopper Penguin

Our second day in the Falklands was spent on the East Island, where Stanley, the capital city is located. There are only about 2500 local people who live year round in the islands. The Islands are a British territory. Historically the islands were important for ships traveling around South America to stop and get provisions. The 1982 conflict between Argentina and Britain occurred when Argentina invaded the islands and claimed them as theirs.  Well, Britain sent military troops, ships and planes and took back the islands which today is believed to have revitalized the islands.  Today visitors regularly stop on ships going all over the globe and to Antarctica.  Our ship took on fuel and water while we visited the town.  We started with Gypsy cove where we were not allowed to go down to the beach as it is still an active mine field. The penguins still go on the beach though. There were beautiful views from the bluffs of the sea, the channel and back at Stanley.

In Stanley, we visited the oldest church and these Blue Whale jaw bones in the local park. Across the harbor, there are written the names of famous ships which have called into Stanley- Darwin’s Beagle, Shackleton’s Endurance, and others. Since it was Sunday, we were lucky to visit the informative museum

Sunday or not, the pubs were open and it was time for a pint.  The residents were very friendly and we were able to chat with them about their lives on the islands. Our ship then headed out across the Southern Ocean about 800 miles, for South Georgia. We enjoyed the Falklands and think you would too.  Until the next entry, remember to be good to yourselves.
Cheers,
Susan and Jim