Essential information 2 Essential A natural paradise, the Falkland UK average, and there are more Citizens of Britain, North America, ou never forget your first rockhopper penguin. With information Islands are a self-governing hours of sunshine than the UK. Mercosur, Chile, and most massive ‘eyebrows’ that make them look like hundreds of Overseas Territory offering Commonwealth countries and the mini Denis Healeys, these small but incredibly feisty birds 3 incredible wildlife viewing Time difference EU do not need a visa; on entry Y Introduction in an outstanding, unspoilt GMT -4 in winter (May-August), they are given an entry permit, seem to epitomize the Falkland Islands. Tough yet beautiful, environment, 400 miles off -3 in summer. Some people initially valid for four weeks. Cruise rugged but characterful, and definitely full of surprises. 4-5 the southeastern tip of South use ‘Camp time’ (as opposed to ship passengers only need a visa Experiences America. ‘Stanley time’), which does not (depending on their nationality) if Famous for all the wrong reasons in the early 1980s, those use daylight saving. they intend to spend time on the of us who watched the Falklands War on our television screens Climate 6-7 Islands before or after the cruise. probably never dreamt that we could one day visit these Stanley The climate is temperate, Health If in doubt, check with a British changeable and oceanic, No special precautions are Embassy or Consulate. amazingly remote islands for pleasure. But, visit we can, and in dominated by persistent westerly required. The King Edward doing so, be one of a select number of appreciative guests. 8-10 Currency East Falkland winds which average 16 knots. Memorial Hospital is in Stanley: Whether you’re interested in wildlife, people, photography, At Stanley, the maximum reception T28000, casualty T28042 The Falklands pound (£) is on a temperature in summer (emergencies T999). All visitors par with sterling, with local notes walking or wilderness, the Falklands are unique. In an 11 (January-February) is 24°C should have medical insurance. and coins (UK notes and coins increasingly homogenized world, the Falklands deserve to be West Falkland (76°F); in winter (June-August) are also legal tender). right at the top of any true traveller’s wishlist. I hope you find temperatures can fall to -5°C Visas 12-13 (22°F). Stanley’s annual rainfall All travellers must have full, current Telephone this guide as inspirational as I have. Outer Islands is about 600 mm, less than the passports to visit the Islands. International code: +500 14-15 Planning Lyn Hughes, Editor in Chief your trip Wanderlust Magazine GEORGINA STRANGE, WWW.DESIGNINNATURE.COM All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by 2 any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Footprint Handbooks Ltd. 3 Experiences Island hopping Battlefield tours history that spans back to the in farm life first-hand. Sheep Travelling in a Falkland Island The Falkland Islands have a rich 17th century. The Falkland Islands shearing, sheep herding using Government Air Service (FIGAS) military history, with residents of Museum (see page 6) provides an dogs (or Land Rovers and Britten Norman Islander aircraft is the Islands having participated insight into the Islands’ past, from quad bikes!) and peat cutting the quickest and most fun way of in both World Wars, as well as those first settlers to the present and its subsequent use as moving around the many islands the 1982 conflict between Great day. Unusual and fascinating fuel are traditional Falkland that make up the archipelago. Britain and Argentina. Some of artefacts reveal their struggle on Island activities which can be The planes land on grass airstrips the fiercest fighting in 1982 took this remote archipelago as well experienced on some tours beside which sits a Land Rover, place in the hills around Stanley. as the ingenuity to improvise in or while staying at a tourist engine running, attached to the Along with the monuments at order to survive. lodge. Alternatively try milking landing strip’s fire tender. The MARTIN BEATON each key site there are scattered the cows or just getting to skills of the pilots are second to remnants of guns, downed Whale watching know the domestic animals. none and this is the only way, As you fly over the islands, helicopters and jets and the Fourteen species of marine Another integral part of farm STUNNING LANDSCAPES MAKE FOR other than from a cruise ship, you see a green mottled GREAT PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES... personal belongings of the mammals have been recorded life is Falklands hospitality, with to discover the attractions of landscape, with the occasional conscripted soldiers. Foxholes in Falkland waters. A trip out a warm hearth away from the Bleaker, Sea Lion, Carcass, Pebble, isolated road in view. The treeless A photographic paradise still contain tattered blankets of Stanley to Berkeley Sound wind and hearty meals to fortify Saunders and Weddell islands. land is marked by stone runs, There are so many points of focus: and ration packets. Walk at your affords the opportunity to try you for the next day’s activities. Each has a diversity of flora, escarpments, ponds, peaty colourful buildings, fantastic own pace around Longdon, to spot some of these at sea fauna and natural beauty to streams and steel blue rivers landscapes and ever-changing Two Sisters, Mount Harriet with spectacular blows often Sporting activities experience. Moreover, apart from taking crazy courses. There are light from sunrise to sunset, tiny and Tumbledown, or arrange exhibited by various species Join in the world’s most the main islands of East and West mazes of water between islands settlements nestling in large open for a local guide with expert of baleen whale. Peale’s and southerly marathon in March, Falkland, each island’s lodge or and peninsulas, gouging out spaces. The wildlife is equally knowledge to bring the battle Commerson’s dolphins regularly play golf on the most southerly self-catering option has its own coves and inlets. The surf rolls photogenic: the playful antics of scenes to life. accompany boats and visit the golf links with a variety of distinct character, so it is worth onto empty beaches. Scanning penguins, fur seals quietly basking bays and inlets. unusual hazards despite the visiting more than one. “Round- the ocean for whales you will among the clumps of tussac grass, Museum and maritime history treeless fairways, or fish for robin” or “scenic flights” with see rafts of albatross and flights male elephant seals fighting on A self-guided walk around Stanley Farm life brown trout and mullet in the FIGAS are alternative options if of petrels. the shore, the relaxed swimming will lead to many discoveries of A number of farms offer the rivers or coastal estuaries. This is time is limited. of sea lions, small birds hopping sunken wrecks and a maritime chance to view or participate one of the last wilderness fishing cheerfully between the rocks and experiences in the world where the delicate beauty of Falklands ALLAN WHITE MEMORIAL TO fish in excess of 5 kg (10 lbs) are flowers. All are amazingly easy to HMS COVENTRY regularly caught. IS A POIGNANT photograph in many locations PLACE... around the Islands. Keep your FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT camera at the ready and watch out for the super-inquisitive “Johnny LIBERATION Rook” (striated caracara) who may MONUMENT be keen to carry it away! SERVES AS A REMINDER OF THE LIZ DIMMLICH MILITARY PAST... EMPTY BEACHES... 4 5 Stanley FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT Sleeping The vast majority of Falkland THE STANLEY a few places as can take away Michelle’s Café, Philomel St. Islanders live in the capital, WATERFRONT Stanley accommodation ranges fish and chips. For evening The Narrows Bar, 39 Ross Rd East. GREETS Stanley (population 2,115), VISITORS from homely, characterful bed entertainment head to The Shorty’s Diner, Snake Hill. the southernmost capital TO THE and breakfasts to small, boutique Globe pub. Stanley Arms Bar, 1 John in the world. Many of the FALKLANDS... hotels. There is a variety of Biscoe Rd. houses overlooking the options to suit all needs, and The Bread Shop, Dean St and Victory Bar, 1A Philomel St. Harbour have brightly- most offer bed and breakfast as Fitzroy Rd. West Store Café, Ross Rd, in the painted iron roofs and an option, with some providing Deano’s Bar, 40 John St. supermarket. trim gardens. There are internet and also gym facilities. Falklands Brasserie, Philomel St. Woodbine Café, 29 Fitzroy Rd. frequent reminders of the Accommodation prices range The Globe, Philomel St. Islands’ British and maritime Sights from £20 to £100 per person Lighthouse Seamans’ Centre, heritage: red phone boxes, Stanley is fairly compact and military monuments, in this per night. over the bridge next to FIPASS military monuments, pubs, easy to walk around. The case to the First World War. A (’The Seaman’s Mission’). WALKING IN AND Falkland Islands Museum, little further west, in front of the Hotels Malvina House Hotel, 3 Ross Rd. AROUND STANLEY shipwrecks and Antarctic IS GREAT FUN... exploration vessels. Wildlife Britannia House, Ross Rd West, Secretariat, is the Memorial to Malvina House Hotel, 3 Ross Rd. is close at hand, from the covers all aspects of island life, the 1982 Liberation, at which Miller’s Hotel, John St. seabirds in the Harbour to including natural history, several a ceremony is held each 14 Waterfront Hotel, 36 Ross Rd. the dunes of Cape Pembroke periods of settlement and the June. Further west is the Royal and the open skies of the 1982 conflict.