FALKLAND ISLANDS–IMPRESSIONS

• WHAT WE DID/SAW/EXPERIENCED
          • Time in Port: 10 hours
          • We spent the day visiting Volunteer Point, home to thousands of adult King Penguins, plus several hundred chicks, and Gentoo and Magellan penguins too
          • King Penguins are the second largest species of penguin, the largest being the Emperor Penguin
          • We took a 2-hour drive in 4X4’s, first on gravel road (eating dirt all the while), and then off-road on some extremely rough terrain, passing over numerous farms on the way.  We passed over grass, steep ditches, streams and peat bog fields to reach the sheep farm of Johnson Harbour –  finally arriving at Volunteer Beach, where our cute little creatures were found.  Where’s the chiropractor?!  I was hootin’, hollerin’, screamin’, cussin’ – as we went on this crazy-ass off-road adventure thru the countryside.  My neck – oh, my aching neck!  I heard lots of people saying they were going to have massages tomorrow!  I don’t think that will “do the trick”.  I need drugs, booze, a chiropractor – help!
          • They assigned four people to each 4X4, and we were paired up with our new friends from Pennsylvania.  But the moment they got off the tender, I heard a disappointed tone in their voice and a comment about how they planned to go with someone else.  Sorry …
          • We finally arrived at the penguin colony, stretched out along a beautiful white-sand beach with large breaking waters.  It was supposed to be freezing and/or rainy, but wasn’t bad at all.  It was windy as Hell, but not as frigid or wet as expected.  I enjoyed seeing the cute little critters in their own environment (instead of at Seaworld).  They did not seem to “mind” our presence, unless we got “too” close . . . I swear, some of them were even “showing off” for a photo or two!  It was a long line for the limited bathrooms and a not-so-great sack lunch, and then back over the challenging terrain . . .
          • Back in Stanley, we stopped for a quick beer at “Victory Bar” and then quickly viewed a couple of their landmarks (e.g., Falklands War memorial and Governor’s home).  Lastly, we stopped in for a couple souvenirs before returning to the ship.  Our “mates” forgot to tip our guide (Mervin), so I threw in some extra money for him.  He wasn’t the best of guides (he wasn’t terribly knowledgeable and proved to be more of a driver than a guide).  Still, he was very friendly and bought us all a drink at the local bar.
• THOUGHTS/IMPRESSIONS
          • If you love penguins, then by all means come here.  There’s nothing else to see or do.  If you only “like” them (but value your neck and back), then Seaworld will do the trick!
          • The tour cost us $195 each, booked separately as a private group.  Thru HAL, the same tour (less the free drink at the pub) would have cost $349 each.  My time on “Cruise Critic” (finding these better and less expensive tours) was well spent!


• FROM OUR ROOM