-
Posts
19,561 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Everything posted by NorbertsNiece
-
Some slides from this morning's Captain's talk. A23A is the world's largest iceberg; it broke off from Antarctica in 1986 and almost immediately got stuck after a deep section of it grounded on the seafloor. Recently, it became dislodged and started drifting again. Followed by some 'fatherly' advice here Where Shackleton landed Paper charts
-
Am headed to the beach. Sand whipped up by the incredibly strong wind. More humans than penguins. Soooo cold and windy. Hats, scarves, gloves and thermals so recommended! Beach video here .
- 545 replies
-
- 10
-
I tried to share this last night but was too tired to figure out why it wouldn't load. I'm achy today from the hours in the jeep. The nesting penguins are encircled by white rocks which we humans may not cross. The chicks are brown balls of fluff! They are curious and while we've been told to not approach us they are not similarly advised. The girl was so absorbed in her selfie stick she failed to notice the babe approaching!
- 545 replies
-
- 10
-
A very bumpy ride video here Gates are opened by the lead driver, our driver shuts them behind us We arrive at Volunteer Point and have to disinfect our footwear. The occasional penguin is loitering in the distance. We then get to be quite close! . .
- 545 replies
-
- 10
-
Continuing yesterday's posts. Thanks for your patience. Accessing the tender was chaotic. Too many independent travellers for the space allocated. Little organisation. The ride from Stanley to Volunteer Point took over 2 hours. We were joined by a younger couple. Our driver, Simon, was a 5th generation Falkland Islander. He was 4 when the invasion occured and remembered his family being moved to a place of safety. We drove on tarmac, gravel and then for the most part off road. The landscape is bleak, very rough terrain. Many ponds amongst the peat.
-
Geoff had gone around 7am to the Rolling Stone. He wasn't the first. When they eventually opened ticket distribution there was a massive surge forward so any queue was obliterated! We were ashore by 9am No other GF options in the Café. I had quite a chat with Executive Chef Thomas yesterday about GF bread. Will be following up! I've been to a couple of talks this morning and was exhausted last night. Picture heavy posts to follow!!
-
Day 8 The Falkland Islands Good morning and thanks for following Woke again at a more sensible hour. Beautiful day out. Chilly. Windy. MS Hamburg 420 passengers operated by Plantours Kreuzfahrten has arrived before us. We have tender ticket 6. 1 - 5 have been called already. No food , fresh fruit to be taken ashore
-
Tomorrow 🤞we go ashore by tender at Port Stanley. The Falkland Islands derive their name from Falkland Sound, the name given to the waterway between East and West Falkland by Captain John Strong, who spent several days in the Islands on his ship 'Welfare' in 1690. Falkland Sound was itself named after Viscount Falkland, one of the owners of 'Welfare'. Captain Strong was the first person to have been recorded as landing in the Islands, although the first reported sighting was by English navigator Captain John Davis in 1592. The Falkland Islands have never had any native inhabitants and no indigenous people have ever been displaced, instead the Islands were entirely unoccupied until 1765, when they were first claimed by the British who established a garrison at Port Egmont. Over the years, the British, French and Spanish periodically had garrisons within the Islands until 1811 when all were withdrawn.On 6 October 1832, an Argentine military garrison arrived in an attempt to establish sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, disregarding the British claim of 67 years prior. Less than three months later, on 2 January 1833, the Royal Navy evicted the military base with no loss of life. The civilian population, who had sought permission from Britain to live there, were invited to stay. A year later, a small, permanent British administration was established and in 1845 Stanley become the capital. They enjoyed a peaceful existence until 1 April 1982, when an Argentine military force invaded. For 74 days they lived under foreign occupation, until liberation by British forces on 14 June 1982. Nearly 1,000 Falkland Islands, British and Argentine lives were lost as a result of the war.Since 1982, their lives have been transformed, they've become financially self-sufficient and almost entirely self-governing, determining their own future and way of life. The community has been formed through voluntary immigration and settlement over the course of nearly two hundred years. They are a diverse society, with people from over 60 nations having made the Islands their home. At their heart are those Falkland Islanders whose families have been in the Islands for nine generations.In 2009 a new Constitution was established which provides enhanced local democracy, internal self-government and enshrines the right of self-determination. Four years later in 2013, they held a referendum which was overseen by international observers, where 99.8% of the electorate voted to remain a British Overseas Territory. https://falklands.gov.fk/our-history We are taking a privately booked excursion to Volunteer Point to see the emperor penguins with Estancia Excursions with whom I toured previously. Cannot wait to go back!
-
Some pics from yesterday I forgot to share. There's a diy taco station by the Lido pool. I decided to try a hot dog in a GF burger bun. It was delicious ..... maybe the best I've had at sea! After lunch caught a few zzzzz on deck 10 then watched the passengers who were late returning to the ship saunter along the pier! Saw quite a few dolphins at sailaway! .
-
Just back from an awe inspiring talk given by Dr Fiona Shanhun on 'Antarctic Science and why it matters'. Had a dreadful seat and will get to the theatre earlier next time! It's not all ice! From the earliest explorers to today. Experiments undertaken on, above and below ground and ice. The sheer volume of information being gleaned is staggering and the means by which it's obtained is innovative and so inspiring. I suggest popping her name into Google. She's really special. .