19 March Ashore Without Boots and Snow Pants

Today we returned to Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. We were here during 1919 and not unsurprisingly not much has changed. We tendered into the port from the ship using the ships lifeboats. They can be quite crowded on shore excursion days that require their use. Should a real emergency abandon ship occur they would be backed with 120 people per boat. Three to a bench seat is cozy, in an emergency it would be five.

Tendering to Shore

Our excursion was to a nature trail that did allow us to see the flora and fauna of the Falklands. We saw Magellanic and King penguins, a turkey vulture, and black-browned albatrosses. The Magellanic penguins borrow into the ground for their nests.

No Crematorium, They are Opening A New Cemetery

A Totem Pole Established After the Falkland War. Units and now anyone can post the distance to their home.

A Very Nice Restroom At the Gypsy Cove Nature Walk

A King Penguin

WWII Gun Emplacement

A Magellanic Penguin

Sorry, not sure of these, not an albatross, but a southern hemisphere duck

After the walk, we explored the town. We always like to go to the local grocery store when traveling to see what they have and how much it costs. The taco shells are $3.55 and the cake mix $4.47. Obviously shipping add a huge cost to good here. Homes are heated with kerosene; most vehicles are diesel, and all are imported. Despite all this the population is growing and supports nine pubs.

We went to the Maritime Museum, opened just for us. Admission is free to the ship’s crew and passengers. A wide range of exhibits from early life on shore, the sea, as well as a nature exhibit.

The Lady Elizabeth, an abandoned ship from the Great Horn transit sailing days

Tonight's Sunset