Any Travels

Falkland (Islas Malvinas) is famous for the war Argentina and the United Kingdom had over the islands. Thatcher's iron hand made sure the region is still firmly under British Rule.

More recently the islands were in the spotlights again, this time because of the behaviour their Pinguin inhabitants supposedly showed when jets flew over. Urban legend has it that our feathered friends tumbie and fall when an airplane flies by, because they try to follow the fast bird with their eyes.

Apart from pinguins, the falklands have a lot of sheep and rather few inhabitants, less than 5,000.

Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands and is the usual starting point for visits. It is in many ways like an English village, but with Government House, a Cathedral and a wide range of amenities and services. Stanley has a few historic buildings as well as a fe ships form the days when great sailing ships and early steam vessels called on their journeys around Cape Horn.

The Falkland Islands are located in the South Atlantic approximately 300 miles east of the South American coast.

The majority of the 2,379 people that live in the Falkland Islands (excluding an estimated 112 residents temporarily absent and 534 civilians based at Mount Pleasant military base) are of British descent. 1,989 live in the capital, Stanley, and the remainder live in settlements or on family farms around the islands. English is spoken on the Falkland Islands.

The economy of the Falkland Islands was traditionally based on revenue from sheep ranching. However, with the creation of a conservation and management zone around the islands in 1986, income from a major offshore fishery has become the driver of economic growth. The Islands are now economically self-sufficient and investment in new facilities and services has brought about major improvements in the standard of living.

Falkland Islanders are predominantly of British descent. Family names such as Felton, Biggs and Watson originate from settlers who arrived in Stanley in the 1840's. However, the telephone book lists names such as Hansen, Anderson and Berntsen - relatives of Scandinavian settlers brought to the South Atlantic in whaling fleets.

Stanley, built on a sheltered north facing harbour, has the air of a Scottish coastal town but has expanded rapidly in recent years as new houses and roads have been constructed to accommodate the drift of Islanders from the farms to the town.

Everywhere outside Stanley is known as "the Camp". (Camp comes from the Spanish word for countryside.) Camp life retains many of the cattle rearing traditions from South American gauchos who worked vast tracks of land in the 1850's.

Place names such as Tranquilidad, Laguna Isla and Dos Lomas abound and horse terms still include bosals and maletas (halters and saddle bags).

But we don't want you thinking that we have not moved on. Whilst our roots may be firmly secured by tradition, we now have a modern and vibrant community living and working in its own unique way in this beautiful part of the world. You won't find a McDonalds here but you will find lots to do and see, all with a distinctive Falkland Islands character.


English is both the official language and the language of preference in the Falkland Islands, as the populace is almost universally of British descent. A handful of immigrants also hail from South America, mostly from Chile, and roughly 2000 British military personnel - locally known as 'squaddies' - reside in the Mt Pleasant airport complex. Because of the islands' isolation and small population, most Falklanders are skilled at doing everything they need to survive, supplementing seasonal work like peat cutting and sheep shearing with their own mechanical and agricultural projects.

Falklanders are also exceptionally hospitable, often welcoming visitors into their homes for a 'smoko,' the traditional midmorning tea or coffee break. This is especially common in 'camp' - the islanders' name for anyplace outside Stanley - where visitors of any kind can be infrequent. When visiting people in camp, it's customary to bring a small gift - rum is a favorite.

A highlight of island life is the annual summer sports meetings, bringing together the usually isolated islanders to share stories, meet new people and catch up with old friends. Visitors are welcome to join in the festivities, which include horse racing, bull riding and sheepdog trials. The meets take place in Stanley between Christmas and New Year's Day and on West Falkland usually toward the end of February. West Falkland's sports rotate yearly between settlements.


Places to go:

Stanley:
Stanley is the capital of the Falkland Islands and is the usual finishing point for visits.
With a population of 1989 it is the smallest and most remote capital city in the world, in many ways like an English village, but with Government House, a Cathedral and a wide range of amenities and services. The city is built on a north-facing slope to catch the sun throughout the year and looks across Stanley harbour with its wealth of sea-birds and shipping.

Darwin:
Under two hours from Stanley by road and much less by plane, Darwin settlement retains much evidence of the gauchos who once lived there and, together with nearby Goose Green, of the 1982 conflict.

Salvador:
On the north coast of East Falkland, accessible by all weather track, one and a half hours drive from Stanley, lies Salvador, one of the Falkland's best kept secrets. Along the majestic, south atlantic coastline of white sand beaches and rocky outcrops, there is an abundance of wildlife, including five kinds of penguin, elephant seals and sea lions, along with numerous species of marine, shore, freshwater and inland birds. Shared self-catering accomodation is available, 'bunk house' style, in this picturesque settlement of this working sheep farm, which has been home to the Pitiluga family for five generation.

Port Louis:
Less than an hour's drive from stanley by all weather road the self catering Garden House overlooks the Careenage of this historic and picturesque settlement. Ideally located for exploring the north coast on escorted day trips to see spectacular scenery and large concentrations of three varieties of penguins.

San Carlos:
San Carlos lies at the western end of East Falkland. This small farming settlement made world headlines during the 1982 conflict as the British forces beach head.

Port San Carlos:
In the north west of East Falkland, some two and a half hours drive from Stanley or less by plane, Port San Carlos offers magnificent scenery, fishing on the San Carlos River and a fine selection of wildlife. Full board and self-catering accomodation is available at The Pod. Self-catering accomodation is also available at Smylies Cottage.

Sea Lion Island:
The most southerly-inhabited island in the Falklands. With a resident population of four, it is 5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. All parts are accessible by 4WD or on foot from the comfortable Sea Lion Lodge.
Sea Lion Island boasts a spectacular display of wildlife including elephant seals and sea lions, rockhopper, gentoo, magellanic and macaroni penguins, striated and crested caracaras and numerous shore and sea birds. Orcas, or killer whales can also be spotted offshore.

Port Howard
Port Howard is a sheep farming settlement from which the 200,000-acre Port Howard farm is operates. The forty or so inhabitants look after approximately 42,000 sheep and 800 cattle. In a scenically attractive location, Port Howard is an ideal place to experience Camp life at first hand and an excellent base from which to explore the fine landscapes of West Falkland. The settlement has a comfortable lodge to which is attatched a small museum housing relics of the 1982 conflict. Visitors can watch the various aspects of sheep farming and take advantage of opportunities available for walking and riding. Port Howard Lodge is also the Islands' best centre for sea trout fishing on the Warrah and Chartres rivers. Guiding and transport can be provided.

Pebble Island
Scenic Pebble Island is 24 miles long and run primarily as sheep farm. The island’s only settlement, which includes Pebble Island Lodge, is located on a narrow neck of land close to a spectacular sand beach. Formerly the farm manager’s home, this cosy little lodge offers extreme comfort while retaining the feel of a traditional Falkland farmhouse. Pebble’s mountainous western area contrasts greatly with the wetland-dominated plains of the east, where some of the Falkland’s most important wildfowl breeding areas are found. These diverse habitats are home to 42 resident bird species. It is also the only place in the Falklands where six species of penguin regularly occur; the breeding Gentoos, Magellanics and Rockhoppers, along with visiting Kings, Macaronis and an Erect-crested. Southern sea lions often haul-out around the coast.

Saunders Island Self Catering Cottage:
Originally developed by the British Military as Rest and Recuperation centres for the Falklands garrison, both these single-family Island farms are vast and full of wildlife treasures. Saunders Island offers miles of spectacular black-browed albatross colonies and, at 'The Neck', where there is a basic cabin accommodation, 4 types of penguin, including King, vie for attention.

Carcass Island:
In over 100 years of habitation, Carcass Island, named after HMS Carcass, has had only three environmentally concious owners and neither rats nor cats, This care and freedom from predation has made a difference that is immediately evident and needs to be experienced rather than described.

Weddell Island:
At Weddell Island there are penguins, sea lions and the opportunity for viewing dolphins and albatross at close quarters from the water.

Home
I know it! singulair, hyfjtdu, nolvadex online, mighty, buy premarin online, fresh, lorazepam online, coherent, topamax online, xfxgqth, Thank you very much for your time.