Leglessbird Travel Guide

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20080119 Saturday Day 4 Stanley, East Falkland Island
Town visit, lunch onshore, posted 3 postcards. Christ Church Cathedrale, Falkland Islands Museum, Cartmell Cottage. Met a gentleman who visited Hong Kong in the 1960s, he had picture of a woman smoking opium inside Walled Village.

13 degree on land in the morning. Our knowledge and awareness of the Falkland Islands were limited to the Falklands war in 1982 which we understand very little of it. It was interesting to finally set foot on the island. The key highlights of the visit were the Cathedrale that has a small mouement outside made of whale bone; The museum though small had good collection of items that represented the Falklands such as items used by early settlers, animals samples of those found around the region, news and bomb shells of the Falklands War; The Cartmell Cottage was the first house built on the island. We posted a few postcards and had lunch in one of the local restaurants, our first onland meal since our sea journey began a few days ago.

Irene: lunch was a highlight at the Brasarie and had a nice dafe latte,
though penguin gifts are v. cute, we didnt buy any.
Met Jutta at dinner, from Germany living in London beteen Heathrow and central london. collected penguin items for 20 years+, went on icebreaker from Tasmania to Antarctica in 2000.

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20080118 Friday Day 3 Carcass Island (Falkland Islands)
13 degree, McGill family, birds (including Penguins) 2-hour hike
First Zodiac ride and landing, saw some birds and penguins, only a few here and there, this was only the beginning, more animals to be expected in the other island. The 2-hour hike was a much needed exercise, as we had been having good food in large portion and no exercise so far. Finally reaching the other side of the island where the McGill family - owner of the island hosts a small tea party for us, there were plenty of nice cakes that were served with tea and coffee. It was rather hot after the long hike especially once we got inside the house.

Irene: the small hike here liked those we did in small islands in HK.
the cookies and cakes with english tea at McGill house was rewarding.
Met Kochava, Isreal.

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20080118 Friday Day 3 Carcass Island (Falkland Islands)
Saunders Island has a very rich animal population dominated by penguins and other birds, we saw plenty of Gentoo penguins and Rockhopper penguins, we also saw some Magellanic penguins and King penguins. The King penguins were not moving an inch because they are protecting their precious eggs underneath their belly! The Rockhopper penguins were busy hopping upwards from the sea through the beach and up towards the hill, at some point we were in their path and they waited patiently until the path is clear again. We also saw an amazing colony of black browed albatross, the chicks were sitting comfortably inside the nests and waiting for their parents to feed them. It was fantastic to see how these animals co-exist in harmony. On our way back to the boat via Zodiac, a dolphin paid us a visit.