Welcome to the Falkland Islands

With the cancellation of my trip to see Rockhopper Penguins on a local farm, I took a walking tour of downtown Stanley.  All along the route with the guide, you’re reminded that the Falklands are British outpost (e.g., red phone booths, round post boxes).  There’s also the 19^th Century Christ Church Cathedral which is the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world. 

Stanley and the Falkland are unusual because trees do not grow here naturally.  If trees are planted in a sheltered area, they still grow at an angle because of the strong winds that blow here year-round. 

This is a small town and a remote part of the world.  We heard of the connections with the UK and other South American cities (none in Argentina) where they obtain more advanced medical care.  The area is so remote that I couldn’t get a cell phone connection during my entire time on the island.

It was a little cloudy and cold, but it was a nice day in the Falklands with its people who have a strong connection to the Britain.

It was cold and overcast this morning in the upper 40s.  We'll soon be back in summer weather and can put up those coats.

Native plans are found in the garden of the Welcome/Tourist Office.

Trees are not native to the Falklands.

Most home are made of brightly colored corrugated metal.  These homes are atypical of the island.

These trees were added in a sheltered area, but you can see how they are growing titled to the left.

I forget the name of this type of bird.  It's a male and female that mate for life like penguins.

It's easy to see signs of the British influence in the Falkland Islands.

This is the government house.

The government house is under some renovations.

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is popular because she raised a military force to protect the islands from Argentina.

Argentina still lays claim to the Falklands.  Lives were lost in the 1980s with the war.

Several naval battles happened here.  Here's a monument to the war (note the ship in the water as a tribute).

The Liberation Monument is near the Victory Green.

A view of the southern-most Anglican church in the world.  It's Christ Church Cathedral.

The bone of  a whale's jaw as used to form a sculpture outside the cathedral.

The Cathedral is very small, but is gorgeous with its wood interior with stained glass windows.

The ship couldn't enter the harbor at Port Stanley because we are too large.

The colorful home are generally clad in corrugated metal.

The final tender goes back to pick up the remaining guests.  Next stop will be Montevideo, Uruguay.