Day 4: Port Stanley, Falkland Islands
Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands, has a population of 2500 and is very British….some say it is more British than the UK, with the old red telephone boxes and circular red post boxes.
The coppers are contracted to serve here from the British police force.
The Falkland Islands comprise two main islands and about 200 smaller islands ( of which we visited two yesterday). 80% of population live in Stanley which has a lovely government house and houses with pretty corrugated roofs.
Stanley Harbour is the islands’ main port; it has a commercial wharf and receives cruise ships (including us). Here’s a couple of pics of the harbour.
Falkland Islands war
In 1965 the UN General Assembly approved a resolution inviting Britain and Argentina to hold discussions to find a peaceful solution to the dispute over sovereignty of the Falklands islands, but on April 2 Argentina invaded the Falklands. This act started the Falkland Islands war which ended 10 weeks later with the surrender of the Argentine forces at Stanley to British troops who had forcibly reoccupied the islands. The issue of sovereignty remained contentious until 2013 when a referendum was held in which the islanders voted to remain a British overseas territory.They proudly advertise that 99.8% of them voted “yes” in the referendum to stay with British rule ( rather than Argentinian).
There is a memorial to those lost during the war, as well as a nice bust of the Iron Lady.
We travelled to and from the boat via tender. And on our tender home, we were joined by the channel 9 Getaway crew who are onboard with us to film more series of Getaway. ( everyone had to sign release forms in case we get included in any footage!)
In the evening we ate at one of the three restaurants where you need a reservation..the Night Market which sits only 8 people (more on that later as am planning a special food edition!!!)
that’s all for now
13 responses to “James’ and Sara’s Excellent Antarctica Adventure”
Loving this blog and all the history and detail you provide! Hope you both make it onto ‘Getaway’!!!
Enjoyed reading about the Falklands – it does look very ‘British’ and I hadn’t realized some of the islands were privately owned. James, how’s the treadmill working out? Is the Getaway team travelling with you for the whole cruise?
Thanks for including me, I’m really enjoying your updates.
Always watch Getaway…always makes interesting viewing.Having travelled on several ships myself,looking foward to report on”Night Market”
restaurant,must be ultra exclusive with only room for 8.Met any interesting cotravellers yet?
Great update & interesting reading – are you & James on your very own Tender – assume you took a selfie!
Great newsy update Sar, thank you and will await seeing you on TV! Looking forward to more updates.
Falklands invasion was 1982. I did some design work for the army.
Loving the pictures of far away places.
Enjoying your updates, you both look great!
Looking forward to hearing and seeing more of your adventure and I hope you make it on Getaway.
As always, your blog is interesting and informative – a kind of history lesson!
Keep enjoying – miss your nightly calls 🙁 but I’m happy to see your smiling face – and James’ of course xxxxx
Another history lesson ! Keep ‘‘em coming !
Falkland Islands war was in 1982, not 1965. Seems my dementia hasn’t set in yet.
Like the blog regardless.
Lovely cute buildings… love the history stories. Would imagine the cops spend most of their time posing for snaps… not much to do otherwise! Yes re war – when we were entering south Argentina in early 1984 there was a British tourist with us, we entered and she was refused entry because she was British and had to go all the way back through Chile… not a happy Brit. xx
Enjoying reading your excellent adventure.
You are doing exactly what we did three years ago, although it feels like yesterday. Nothing has changed so far.It’s easy to picture you on the ship and on excursions.It’s exciting because of what will come next!!!