Falkland Islands

If you have a soft spot for penguins, then the Falkland Islands are an absolute paradise. Our rendezvous with the penguins on the beaches of Port Stanley was nothing short of a blessing. These charming creatures, with their adorable waddle and comical antics, had us spellbound. Hours seemed to slip away as we couldn't resist snapping pictures of these little bundles of joy.

Amidst the awe, however, some individuals chose to ignore the rules, disregarding the mandated 6-meter distance and encircling the penguins. Frustration peaked as a few persistently intruded on the penguins' personal space, almost within a foot of these gentle beings. Despite the vigilant marshals, not everyone heeded their warnings.

Determined to soak in the magic, Darren and I found ourselves a spot among a group of Gentoo Penguins. We sat, and observed, and I even attempted to serenade them. A few glanced up at my attempt to charm them with a song, but their attention soon wandered elsewhere.

As we marvelled at the penguins, we also took a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty of the beach we were perched upon. Perhaps the penguins, engrossed in their daily struggle for survival, might not grasp the beauty surrounding them, especially as they diligently tend to their young and waterproof their feathers for fishing expeditions.

Upon disembarking from our ship, we promptly secured a spot on a Penguin tour, aware that our limited time was ticking away since we were Tender number 39 off the boat that day.

On the Tender Boat headed for the Falklands

A lone baby seal on the dock.

The 100-pound investment in fun led us on a 12-minute drive through the scenic sand dunes and serene beaches surrounding the small town of Port Stanley. A short trek later, we found ourselves atop a bluff, treated to breathtaking views of the azure waters of the Falklands. The sight of little black and white figures dotted the landscape — a sure sign of penguin sightings. We were granted 40 precious minutes in their company.

Penguin prints in the sand.

Among them were three King Penguins and their chick, their distinctive colouring and larger stature make them more showy than the Gentoos.

While they stole the show, the crowd around them grew, prompting us to respectfully give them space. Our journey continued toward the Gentoos, where we sat and observed, eventually meandering towards a larger group.

A realization dawned as we noticed hundreds more penguins further up from the water. Time flew, and it was reluctantly time to head back to our meeting point for the return journey to the ship.

With a bit of time to spare, we explored local stores, and I couldn't resist commemorating this unique and remote adventure with a Falkland Islands shirt. A token of a place none I know have ventured, a keepsake from an extraordinary and unforgettable corner of the world that we might never have the chance to revisit.

The Town of Port Stanley is very pretty.

Getting back on the Tender Boat.

Beautiful Lupines greeted us in port.

The Captain commented on how calm the waters were that day.

Back on board from a successful day of excursions.

Cocktail hour on our Sunset Balcony.

The British history on this Island can not be denied.