Arrival in the Falklands

You may think that a day at sea between Punta Arenas and The Falkland Islands would be a day of inactivity...... Think again! We had several meetings about safety procedures and information about the forthcoming 3 weeks, so not much lazing about.

This morning we opened the curtains to see our first view of New Island on the west coast of the Falklands. Before lunch we had our first landing. This is done using rubber boats called zodiacs between the ship and land and safety is the number one issue. We have been instructed how, with the help of crew members, to get into and out of the zodiacs. We have been issued with rubber boots and these have to be meticulously cleaned before every landing to avoid the spread of avian flue between the islands. Even more thorough cleaning will be necessary when we move from the Falklands to South Georgia and from South Georgia to the Antarctic peninsula!

New Island has a rookery about 20 minutes walk from the landing site, with Black-browed Albatross, Rock-hopper penguins and Blue-eyed Cormorants all nesting next to each other on the rock faces.

We had 2 hours at New Island before returning on the zodiacs to the ship and a boot wash as soon as you board.

There are 6 boat groups (we are in boat groups #6), and each group is called to the Zodiac launch deck at approximately 10 minute intervals.

After the visit to New Island it was time for lunch, followed by a lecture on how to get the best shots with the camera. During this time the ship had sailed to Carcass Island in the NW of the Falklands. This is very close to where I spent 4 months in 1986 on a high hilltop called Byron Heights, looking after a radar and watching the "Argies" movements, four years after the war.

Another great visit to Carcass Island with bird watching and photographing, in a very brisk wind and even a bit of hail. Very refreshing and enjoyable.

On returning to the ship it was time for dinner, and the meeting about the plan for tomorrow.

On the way