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.