Wednesday February 18, 2015 - Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

Wednesday February 18, 2015 – Port Stanley, Falkland Islands

We sailed in to Port Stanley harbor in the Falkland Islands and anchored about 7.  There are lots of Chinese fishing boats all around, fishing for calamari.  A helicopter was buzzing the skies and we found out later that they were looking for “jumpers” – Chinese sailors that jump into the water to escape the harsh conditions on the ship.  There were 7 yesterday and they found them all.  Today at least one of them died.  They said that a person can only stay in the water for 5 minutes and then they go unconscious due to hyperthermia. 

We took a tender to shore and were met by our guide, Michele.  She and her family came to the Falklands a year and a half ago.  Her husband works as an environmental engineer for the oil industry.  They discovered oil in the Falklands in the mid 90’s but haven’t commercialized it yet.  No wonder the Argentines want to claim the Falklands.

We started on a walking tour of Port Stanley and had one of the best tours of this trip.  Michele was great and knew so much history.  She works in the museum and has learned so much about the islands since moving there.  We went to the oldest house on the island built of brick – a status symbol – then the Anglican Church, the arch made of whale ribs, the Catholic church, various monuments to the various wars in the Falklands, the school, the Governor’s house, the racetrack, and then to the museum. 

There were lots of Chinese fishing boats in the harbor - fishing for calamari

 

One of the oldest homes in Port Stanley - made of bricks, a sign of "status"

The old church

The whale bone statue

Inside the church

Beautiful stained glass windows

The whale bone statue outside the church

Plaque commemorating the victory against Argentina in the Falkland Islands

They still use these cannon in the park on the waterfront for celebrations

Mailing a postcard from Port Stanley to Lauren and Lillian

Beautiful flower and vegetable gardens in many of the homes

Small homes built for senior citizens by the government

We watched a helicopter during the day - They were searching for "jumpers" - Chinese workers who jumped off of their fishing boats - They can't last long in the cold waters.

A memorial to the victory of England for the Falkland Islands

Beautiful sailing ship on top  of one of the statues

Plaques throughout Port Stanley - there have been lots of conflicts here

The Governors home in Port Stanley

Our excellent tour guide, Michelle

A bust of Margaret Thatcher in Port Stanley - she is beloved here.

Replicas of penguins in the Port Stanley Museum

Our sail away from Port Stanley

We decided to have lunch at the Malvinas Hotel and it was so good.  I had fish and chips and Tim had fried calamari, fresh off of one of the fishing boats.  We enjoyed a good Chilean malbec too.  Lunch was only $68 but the people we had met from Austin complained to us later that they thought it was so expensive for lunch.  We went back to the museum and bought a Christmas ornament and then to one of the gift shops and bought another. 

We took the tender back to the ship and took a well-deserved nap.  We had done a lot of walking on the tour.We had drinks in Martinis and then went to the dining room but it was mobbed so we went to the buffet dinner and had a great light dinner since lunch had been so filling.  We went to the Lounge and saw Evan’s one-man show – he has an unbelievable voice range and put on a great show.  We had one after dinner drink with Putu and then went to bed.