09-21-2013, 07:04 PM
<P>Hi all<BR>Well I am back on home soil after a stop in Jamaica. The Falklands was an experience, but of course I was there to work, it was not a vacation. It is a very different place from anywhere I have ever been before and if you want to see some very different wildlife and scenery, then it might be worth the trip. It is expensive as I mentioned in another post and time is limited if you want to just visit due to transportation and the very limited ways there are to get there.<P>Anyways, if okay, I will do this in two posts, one for the wildlife and one for the scenery. Although most of what I am about to post are my pictures, there are a few that a friend has allowed me to share as the wildlife is very different in their summer months (Dec-April). Should you wish to visit the Falklands, I would strongly suggest during this time. Although, it becomes a very busy for such a small place with the population of Stanley increasing by triple or quadruple when the cruise ships are in port for their morning. Flights from the US are through South America (LAN) and limited to one a week on Saturdays. Flights from the UK are twice a week operated by the military through Brize Norton. All flights land on the UK Air Force Base (Mount Pleasant) which is about an hour, on a good day, outside of town. Immigration is controlled by the them also . There are a few places to stay and pretty much no matter where you stay, expect to pay $90-$120 a night. Could also be a bit higher in the high season.<P>There are internal flights with FIGAS (Falkland Island Government Air Services) which go to the West Island and various "settlements" around. They will also go to some of the remote islands were you can find a B&B and it could very well turn out that you will be one of only a handful of people who have ever stepped foot on the island. The Falklands are made up of some 600 islands and some have never been walked on by a human and the Government has protected those islands as you are not allowed.<P>Many islanders have two often three jobs especially in the summer months during tourism. There is no unemployment as there are always jobs to be filled and vacancies of all types. Not enough people to do the jobs available. The population of the whole place is about 2700 with about 2000 living in Stanley. The rest live "in camp" on what the locals call settlements. The majority are farming with sheep being the main animal. Not many cows and even fewer pigs. Actually didn't see any cows or pigs in the three months of traveling around, just sheep, lots of sheep. A few of the in camp folks have set up small business such as a small store or a B&B or a cafà instead of farming. A few years back, the majority of the population lived in camp with Stanley very small; not so today and it is sad to see the unattended and dilapidated houses when visiting camp. The B&Bs are actually mostly used during "shearing season" as the shearers go from farm to farm to work. There are a few tourists who do venture out to camp, but not many. Also, professionals who need to travel around will be boarded in one of the B&Bs when needed. It is rustic to say the least.<P>Here is some wildlife....<P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean43.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean44.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean45.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean46.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean47.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean49.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean50.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean51.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean52.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean53.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean54.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean55.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P><img class="refimg" src="/webbbs/images/main/pictinabean56.jpg" border="0" alt=""><P>That was a lot quicker then the last time (Falklands is on satellite). Being back in civilization is so wonderful....ha. Scenery soon come.