Port Stanley Falkland Islands

After a couple of days on the ocean (the first of which was sailing around Cape Horn), the  Juniper  anchored off shore.

 

  Tenders transferred passengers from the ship to Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.

 

 

 

Geographically, it's Argentina, but it felt like England.  (Albeit, a very nice spring-like day for January in England)>

 

 

Of course, The Falkland Islands is (still) a British Territory and it feels like one.  Top row is Christ Church Anglican Cathedral built in the 1800s, the British Flag at the Port,  and the iconic red phone booth.  In the lower row, the flag flies near a government building, one of the many English gardens we passed on a walk around town, and the Royal Post Office.    We also passed several typical British pubs and tea shops  (no pictures of the last two)

But first …

Before we walked around town, we boarded a local tour bus near the port.  It took us to Gypsy Cove, a scenic park on Pembroke Peninsula, about  4 miles from the Port.  This beautiful coastal park is home to several colonies of Penguins.

 

 

It was a beautiful day to be outdoors.  I spotted  penguins  on the beach, but too far from the top of a hill.  This beach was off limits for walking (as it should be for the penguins safety).    A few had waddled up closer to the path.  Here are some of my favorites:

 

 

After our morning at Gypsy Cove, the bus transported us back to the Port.  We spent the afternoon walking around on the town of Stanley on a self-guided tour.  

A military plane flying over the Port is a reminder of the 1982 Falklands War  — and why the Island is still a British Territory.   The Royal Air Force Base is on the other side of the island.  Some of our fellow passengers on the ship opted to take a tour  focused on the history of the war, instead of focusing on nature and wildlife.      We have long ago come to terms with not being able to do everything of interest, no matter where we go on a tour.   Or when traveling on our own for that matter.  We are grateful to see and learn what we can.  

 

This arch, made from the jawbones of two blue whales, was built in 1933 to commemorate a century of continuous British administration of the Islands.    It is one entrance to the grounds of the Anglican Cathedral.

 

 

Our walk took us to the National Museum of the Falkland Islands, which had well-done rooms showing early history of the Island and British Isles settlement (many descendants of early settlers still make it their home).  There are displays dedicated to the Falklands War and more.   We could easily have spent much more time there, but it was time to walk back to the port as we didn't want to miss the last tender trip back to the ship.

 

It was a great day.   Besides all that we saw — and more Penguins! — we talked to friendly locals and learned a little bit about what it was like to live on this somewhat remote Island.   The Falkland Islands was never a place I dreamed of seeing, certainly wasn't on my travel wish list, but as often happens it was one of the most interesting places we've visited.   I'd recommend it to anyone.

 

Linking this week to the following:  Thanks to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY;   NATURE NOTES;  THROUGH MY LENS; TUESDAY TREASURES ;  MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SIGNS SIGNS; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; and SATURDAY CRITTERS