Click on images below for
pop-ups with larger images.
 

1. Penguins

2. Yorke Bay

From: Matthew Thomas
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:30
Subject: Days 1-4: The Falkland Islands

Arrival in the Falkland Islands, after a long 24 hours, presented us with a two days of unfortunate delays with the RRS James Clark Ross, but gave us a fortunate opportunity to explore the islands. We took advantage of the good weather (quite summery at 12 ° C) to explore the area near the main town, Stanley.

Stanley is quiet with a bare yet beautiful view, and offers the occasional war relic in museums and open fields. A more modern military presence is rarely far off as fighter jets wizz over your head.

However, Stanley's greatest asset is the numerous colonies of penguins and other birds that dot the impressive coastline and tropical-looking white sand beaches. At Gypsy Cove, only a few miles walk away, a number of different species could be seen, particularly by the more adventurous, who did their exploring in the style favoured by locals, using a four-by-four.

After just two days delay the ship was ready and we set sail for the Antarctic. A few butterflies accompanied me as I considered what the weather may have in store for us in the Drake Passage.

Matthew