Friday, February 9


Lots of people went ashore at Stanley, and lots of them went to see penguins, but I didn’t. We were not docked, but using tenders, and a nasty wind made the tender boarding process more dangerous than I cared to risk. Those who did go had a great time, and said the people there were really friendly as were the penguins. People were admonished to go no closer to the penguin colony than 5 meters, but if they stood still, the penguins would come right up to them and almost stand on the peoples’ toes to check them out.


I spent much of the day up in the Crow’s Nest watching the weather patterns sweep across the town and countryside about every 3 minutes. Sunshine, wind, rain, sleet, hail, sunshine, rain, clouds sitting on the hills, etc. Even the wave patterns were interesting...long lines of foam parallel to each other and the shore line, but seemingly unconnected to wind or wave patterns. Some of the places in Chile were truly desolate with not a blade or leaf of green on the hills due to the Atacama Desert, but there was plenty of evidence of habitation. Here in the Falklands there was green, but it looked almost more desolate. No trees, only gorse and grasses and rocks and this one little village of around 1000 inhabitants with ever-changing weather.


Saturday, February 10


En route to Buenos Aires. The air is getting warmer and the sea is relatively smooth. They’ve changed our port schedule again, keeping the second day in Manaus, dropping Reciefe, Barbados and Half Moon Cay, but adding back St. Lucia and Grand Turk. This, of course, plays hob with the poor Shore Excursion Office people trying to book alternative tours. My fancy chartered flight tour to Iguazu Falls was cancelled...they just couldn’t obtain an aircraft to charter on the days we are going to be in Buenos Aires. Ah well, the refund on that one tour will probably cover most of my shipboard charges for the whole trip!


Tonight is when Jill and I sprang the plot we’ve been hatching for John. It involved Harvey (the pookah) who was present in the form of a large rabbit made out of bath towels and numerous sets of rabbit ears (made by me with help from Jill to obtain suitable wires for headbands) for the rest of us. Of course we never know how many of the people at our table will turn up for dinner, so we have LOTS of rabbit ears. It was a huge success and really surprised John. Of course half the dining room staff had to come over and get their photo taken with Harvey and ears. Great good fun!



Sunday, February 11



Another smooth day at sea. We should reach Rio de la Plata this afternoon and Buenos Aires tomorrow morning. I am constantly amazed that I am actually on this wonderful trip...never before expected to be gazing out at the South Atlantic Ocean!