Port Stanley, Falklands - March 6, 2016

Falklands  --- "Penguins and Peat Moss".  

We enjoyed a day at sea, heading southwest.  This is a good time to give a bit of a picture of the Star Princess.  It was the largest ship we have ever been on and we were somewhat apprehensive about the size when we booked this cruise.  The cruise was full, yet the ship was laid out in such a manner that crowds were not an issue.  We always book a balcony on the "port" side, as it generally tends to give maximum sun, especially in the afternoon.  Even as the temperatures got colder as we  headed south, we had warmth and sun in the afternoon.  There was something very soothing about sitting on the balcony, with a good book, watching nothing ......

The ship offered so many activities for any taste.  We refrained from playing bridge for the first 2 weeks of the cruise.  During the second 2 weeks, we had more days at sea, so we played bridge.  The enrichment lectures were excellent.  For each port, there was a very knowledgeable lecture, giving lots of good recommendations.

Port Stanley of course is famous for the war between Britain and Argentina.  We discovered that people from both "sides" go on this cruise, just to visit the Falkland Island (Malvinas is the Argentina name).  We were advised to be very sensitive to both "sides" as many people come here to visit the graves of deceased family members.

We also were told that during the 4 month cruise period, half the cruises could not enter the harbour because of rough seas and the port stop had to be cancelled.  The ship anchors in the outer bay and tender boats transport passengers ashore.  It is a 30 minute tender ride on somewhat rough waters.  There were 3 ports on this cruise that were highly susceptible to cancellation because of rough seas, but we were fortunate to be able to get to all of them.  That being said, it was crazy getting 2,800 people ashore.  We held back an hour and had only a short wait for a tender boat.

As we cruised into the channel early in the morning, we made certain to take photos of the penguins greeting us.

Penguins greeting us.  Zoom in for a good look

What a bleak Island ....  Penguins and peat moss 

Stanley airport

Port Stanley is the hub of the Falklands.  Apparently it is more British than Britain!  We walked the entire town, including the beautiful walking path along the entire harbour.  One thing we learned was to stay on the walking paths.  Judi stepped off the path at one point and felt her feet sinking into the peat moss.  Here are some of the  many photos taken here.

Government House .... this has to be a "punishment posting"

One of the "bunkers" remaining from the war

Re-creation of typical row British housing 

Police station and jail

Town Hall and Library

Local newspaper

Falkland beer works 

Things are expensive in Port Stanley.  No free internet there as they have terribly expensive internet and simply cannot afford to make it available.  Everything except fish, lamb, mutton and cured/smoked ham has to be imported. We did want to experience the local British Pub which turned out to be another adventure.  It was called the "Victory Bar" and was very busy, even though it was Sunday when we visited.

Victory Bar - Eric buying a beer

Lots of great memorabilia 

Our Son-In-Law Darren works offshore and has been to Port Stanley and we are sure has visited Victory Bar

Other side of the harbour

British Cemetery 

British memorial at Cemetery

Some of the homes

There was a geocache here

We had probably our best geocaching day on the entire trip here in Port Stanley.  Apparently "travel bugs" are very popular here.  At the cemetery we found a "travel bug hotel".  Overall we left behind 3 travel bugs and took 1.

Walk along the waterfront

This was a wonderful day.  It was sunny, but cold.  March there would be equivalent to September at home, but it sure was colder than September here.  We reached a  high temperature of 11 celsius. What a desolate place to live!  Cannot imagine what winter must be like.  It was Sunday when we were there and the kind folk opened every store for us .....  cannot blame them .... 2,800 people!!

The penguins bidding us farewell as we leave the harbour