Super British Stanley has blown me away

Oh I love the Falklands so much! We were ready to get off the ship, at breakfast everyone was buzzing at the thought of going on land. Ali went on the Port Stanley Highlights tour and was first to get off the ship. It’s quite a novelty to get on the walkway instead of the polar circle boat. Ali went off on her bus tour, then I took the bus transfer into the centre of Stanley. Then we walked and walked. It’s so small that you can just walk along one street and see all of the major sights. I have never been somewhere so British! More British than Britain. Everyone drives a Land Rover or a Range Rover, you don’t see a single car.

We started with Jubilee Villa’s, then the church where I found the kneeler for the Guides. Of course, travelling Brownie had her picture next to it. Then in front of the church is the whale bones, the classic postcard of Stanley. Further on was the Post Office, Town Hall, Police, Penguin News, Governors House, memorial to the Royal Marines, memorial to the 1914 war and a highlight, the mast from the S.S Great Britain. My dad recounts the story of the S.S Great Britain coming home to Bristol, it was floated all the way back from Stanley. Later in the day I told one of the Islanders about this and she was amazed that it is now such an attraction. Following the big sights, we then took to the back streets, passing Thatcher Drive and a statue to Margaret. One of the houses has a Union Jack roof. A quick stop in the gift shop for lots of Union Jack goodies. 

It was time for my excursion, a Scenic Air Tour. Oh my gosh, it was fantastic. It’s a tiny six seater aeroplane, used to transport people and things between the islands. The pilot Drew gave us a pre briefing about the journey, then we were tucked in. We flew over the ship and Stanley. It really showed how small Stanley is, easily walkable. Everywhere outside Stanley is called Camp, we flew very low over the wilderness, which doesn’t have any trees. Nobody can tread a foot on this land, it is full of landmines. I was buzzing at this point, I love flying in small aircraft. Looking down we could see lots of holes in the ground, Drew told us why there are so many, they are holes caused by bombs in the 1982 war! So much of this gorgeous land can’t be walked upon. We saw gloriously sunny white sand beaches, home to wildlife only as they are full of mines. We saw whales, seals, Magellenic penguins, lots of bird life and rocky spurs. I absolutely loved the scenic air flight and it was quite a few hours after that I stopped shaking with adrenaline. 

Following the flight we had a transfer back to Stanley as the airport is just out of town at Stanley Airport, the domestic one. The driver was very informative and stopped on the way back to show us the wreck of the Lady Elizabeth. She told us about the health system, they have free prescriptions and all health care is free. If they can’t be treated in Falklands, they are flown to Santiago or the UK. For university, anyone can go, they are paid to study in the UK, all expenses paid, including three trips back home each year! 

Back in Stanley, it was surprisingly easy to find Ali, she was photographing a goose. We had a quick drink in the Globe Tavern before talking a slow walk back to the ship. On the way back we stopped at the cemetery and the 1982 memorial wood. A tree was planted for every British life lost in the Falklands war, it’s an incredible place. We walked through the wood, back along the shore and back on board the ship. 

I can’t speak highly enough of Stanley, I just wish we had a couple of weeks there. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next couple of days exploring more of the Falklands.