Friday, February 15, 2013

A morning in Stanley, Falkland Islands...........

January 15, 2013 - Stanley, East Falkland Island
Good visibility; mostly sunny
Wind: S 4; Sea: Smooth; Air Temp. 20C (68F)


Stanley in the British Falkland Islands was established in the early 1840's and used as a port of call by sealers and whalers until the late 19th century. It has a fascinating history embracing maritime trade, missionary links, Darwinian discoveries and participation in two World Wars. Memorials and reminders of the 1982 conflict feature significantly. Links with sealers, whalers, explorers and South American indigenous people have helped shape the culture and natural environment of today's Falklands and reminders of the past can be found everywhere in the islands.




Stanley, on East Falkland, is the largest port and capital of the British Falkland Islands........number 3 on the right side of the map.




Loving those English cottage garden lupines.......


The traditional colorful buildings are constructed from wood with corrugated iron roofs, the light weight of which makes them the most practical to import - almost everything is imported into the Falkland Islands.





Some lovely shops selling home-produced goods from simple felted wool, to intricate woollen garments, jewelry, and wooden items. My purchases included natural Falklands wool - I started knitting this scarf whilst on the ship, keeping my hands busy during all the wonderful lectures enjoyed in the Discovery Lounge........





Needed to get out those sunglasses, perfect weather for sightseeing, as I was enjoying here. Just wish we'd had more time to explore this interesting town and island.........


........these guys obviously just wanted to sunbathe 
on the waterfront.




Paula at Christ Church Cathedral - southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world - constructed in 1890-92 of local stone and brick. The whalebone arch was constructed in 1933 to commemorate a century of British rule - the arch consists of massive jawbones from two blue whales.


John driving us back to the ship after exploring Stanley.

The Falkland Islands are beautiful..............just a few hours in each place were hardy long enough to explore the history and view the bucolic scenery and wildlife, and at 1:00 PM we upped anchor and sailed away. Our bus driver, John, who drove us from the small port area into and back from town, had a familiar accent - he was from Somerset, England, adjacent to Devon, my home county! When I asked how he ended up in this remote place (pop. 2,050), he said he and his wife came for a visit some years ago and stayed, embracing the quiet, peaceful life of island living. 



OK, I know what you are thinking! Where are the white snow-covered mountains, glaciers and icebergs? What's happened to the plan to see Antarctica? Patience readers..........Antarctica is so far away, but all that and more is coming soon.


Next stop begins our following the amazing journey of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton - our expedition being named "The Spirit of Shackleton". South Georgia Island was two sea days away and we were full of anticipation.............and were in no way disappointed at what was awaiting us.  Stay tuned.


14 comments:

  1. What a pretty place...love the buildings..

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  2. Such beautiful color there. Those lupines were beautiful. I don't blame your bus driver and his wife for settling there. Looking forward to more!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  3. What a beautiful stop along your journey. I am enjoying also seeing the lupines too.

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  4. Hello Mary:
    So very strange to our eyes to see so many reminders of Britain in the South Atlantic, not least all of the architecture which you show.

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  5. Stunning beauty! To see it in person...Oh my. Looks a wonderful fun trip.

    I have a friend that lives in Somerset. Langport to be exact. I need to peddle my way across the pond to visit and Devon is on my list of things to do.

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  6. It's amazing Mary, this very British outpost at the bottom of the world.
    I imagine some of the first settlers brought their lupin seeds with them from home.
    I was wondering about the economy of the islands and Wikipedia enlightened me it's based on tourism and commercial fishing!
    Nice to think that by travelling there Mary, you have helped the Falklands people to survive!
    A great post and I love travelling with you to these far away places I would otherwise miss out on!!
    hugs
    Shane ♥

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  7. And i wish England was more like this today- the good old day when it wasn't overcrowded with foreigners and locals. The Falklands are growing in population with 250 new houses being built. Many people want the peace and serenity and "almost" no crime atmosphere here. Of course the Argentinians want it BUT HANDS OFF!!

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  8. Hello Mary
    I found your amazing blog when I was visiting Shane's lovely blog..loved your photos and descriptions..how amazing..I have added you to my blog roll so I can continue to see your great posts!
    Have a happy weekend where ever you are now.
    Dagmar

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  9. This town looks really pretty and very British. Thanks for the tour, Mary.

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  10. What a stunning looking place! Very crisp and white :)
    Judy xx

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  11. This was one of my favourite stops during our trip down to the bottom of the world. I'd been fascinated with the Falkland Islands from the time, in the early 80's when a British soldier's wife stayed with us in Germany, sewing up the slipcovers for our sofas (lucky me!)while her husband was deployed in the Falklands. It was a tense time that I remember well - I may have to blog about it.

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  12. Amazing sea birds, especially the beautiful albatross.

    Love the lupins too.

    Sft x

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  13. Mary,
    How beautiful those islands are,just loved the colors and flowers.What an amazing journey you were on.Can't wait to see more.
    Lori

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  14. It all looks so very British, doesn't it? As it should! :) Loved the photos and reading. Thank you.

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