Falkland Islands (or as Argentina insists, “Islas Malvinas”)
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| Southernmost Cathedral |
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| Falklands flag |
Visiting the Falklands was a highlight of the trip. We all remember the Falklands War of 1982,
and it is a vivid memory for everyone we met there. Anyone older than 50 remembers Argentine
soldiers occupying the town of Stanley.
The Falkland Islands are often shrouded in dense fogs and
stormy seas, making it a fifty-fifty chance whether excursions can land
there. We visited on a picture-perfect
day with sunny skies and high in the sixties.
The town of Stanley is small, home to half the 2400 people
who live in the Falklands. There is no cellular
service on the islands, which came as a surprise, so I felt like I was back in
1982. We visited the Anglican Christ Church Cathedral
(southernmost Cathedral), whale bone arch, cemetery, 1982 memorial. Drinks at the Globe Tavern, where they served
Falklands Beerworks IP and Blonde Ales (both pretty good).
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| Christ Church |
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| 1982 War Memorial |
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| Margaret Thatcher statue |
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| Stanley Waterfront |
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| Stanley seal |
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| Globe Tavern |
The highlight of the visit was visiting the Penguin rookery
at Lagoon Bluff, where we saw King and Gentoo penguins. The rookery is home to 1000 Gentoo Penguins
and 80 King Penguins. The Gentoo are so
entertaining, much more energetic than the Magellenic or King Penguins. Pastries were excellent at the Sea Cabbage
Café on the beach, just steps from the penguins. Our driver provided
extensive history of the farming on Falklands and the War with Argentina.
The Gentoo penguins were so fun to watch. Here are videos of two Gentoos chasing each other, Part 1 and Part 2. See this LINK for a YouTube video showing three Gentoo penguins chasing each other.
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| Gentoo Penguins |
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| Gentoo with chicks |
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| Gentoo pair |
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| King Penguins |
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