West Point & Carcass Islands in the Western Falklands
Monday, a day synonymous with dread and loathing in the work force, is also often regarded as the first day of the week. And while we technically began our journey days ago when we boarded planes from various parts of the world, the real journey began today…on a Monday, yet this was not one of work but one more of blissful immersion into the voyage ahead. By now we have settled into our cabins here on the ship, made a few new friends, and begun to stand more firmly on our new-found sea legs. So we are ready to see what the Atlantic Ocean has to offer and to embrace each of the far-flung locales we find along the way.
First up on our itinerary: the Falkland archipelago, specifically the islands of West Point and Carcass. These remote specks of land offer a chance to see how far-removed some people choose to live from today’s modern amenities, but also contain a bevy of relatively fearless wildlife available for our enjoyment.
Bird enthusiasts excitedly added several new species to their life-lists, while even the ornithologically-challenged could appreciate the spectacle of black-browed albatross by the hundreds soaring off the cliffs surrounding Devil’s Nose on West Point Island this morning. Or perhaps the angry-eyed rockhopper and the shy, burrowing Magellanic penguins highlighted some people’s visit. Birds were seemingly everywhere on these islands and clearly the dominant animals in this environment. Striated Caracaras lurked around every bend and hump of tussac. Patagonian crested ducks huddled around their chicks of the year along the shore. Upland geese happily grazed alongside introduced livestock, and kelp geese combed the tidal zone for freshly-exposed morsels.
We visited the first two of what will be many islands seen on this epic journey. Aside from the abundant birdlife, we also encountered white-sandy beaches seemingly transported from a more tropic origin; we savored not one but two bountiful tables of baked delights and English tea; and marveled at the agility of Peale’s dolphins and the size of sei whales. In fact the only thing to loathe about this Monday, was its end; but then again, there’s always Tuesday.
Monday, a day synonymous with dread and loathing in the work force, is also often regarded as the first day of the week. And while we technically began our journey days ago when we boarded planes from various parts of the world, the real journey began today…on a Monday, yet this was not one of work but one more of blissful immersion into the voyage ahead. By now we have settled into our cabins here on the ship, made a few new friends, and begun to stand more firmly on our new-found sea legs. So we are ready to see what the Atlantic Ocean has to offer and to embrace each of the far-flung locales we find along the way.
First up on our itinerary: the Falkland archipelago, specifically the islands of West Point and Carcass. These remote specks of land offer a chance to see how far-removed some people choose to live from today’s modern amenities, but also contain a bevy of relatively fearless wildlife available for our enjoyment.
Bird enthusiasts excitedly added several new species to their life-lists, while even the ornithologically-challenged could appreciate the spectacle of black-browed albatross by the hundreds soaring off the cliffs surrounding Devil’s Nose on West Point Island this morning. Or perhaps the angry-eyed rockhopper and the shy, burrowing Magellanic penguins highlighted some people’s visit. Birds were seemingly everywhere on these islands and clearly the dominant animals in this environment. Striated Caracaras lurked around every bend and hump of tussac. Patagonian crested ducks huddled around their chicks of the year along the shore. Upland geese happily grazed alongside introduced livestock, and kelp geese combed the tidal zone for freshly-exposed morsels.
We visited the first two of what will be many islands seen on this epic journey. Aside from the abundant birdlife, we also encountered white-sandy beaches seemingly transported from a more tropic origin; we savored not one but two bountiful tables of baked delights and English tea; and marveled at the agility of Peale’s dolphins and the size of sei whales. In fact the only thing to loathe about this Monday, was its end; but then again, there’s always Tuesday.
