The Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a British self-governing colony located about 300 miles (480 km) east of the Strait of Magellan. There has long been a sovereignty contention between Britain and Argentina, which led to war in 1982. The archipelago consists of about 200 islands which are mostly rocky and treeless and often swept by strong winds and cold rains. The group consists primarily of two large islands: East Falkland covers 4,950 sq mi (13,000 sq km), and West Falkland covers about 3,600 sq mi (9,100 sq km).

This morning during breakfast, the M.S. ENDEAVOUR entered Port William on the east side of East Falkland Island and then slowly make her way to the inner harbor of Port Stanley and berth at the FIPASS Pier a couple miles from the center of Stanley. This very colorful and picturesque town is the principal community and port of the archipelago and has been the capital of the British dependency of the Falkland Islands since 1842. Almost 2,000 people, out of a total Falklands population of nearly 2,800 people, live here. The town was held by Argentine troops for ten weeks in 1982 and suffered some damage before being retaken by a British task force during the Battle of the Falklands, or the Conflict (as the locals refer to it).

After clearing customs and immigration, we took a morning tour of Stanley and its environs, including a view of Government House, the two main war memorials, and drive around the end of the harbor to view the wreckage of the LADY ELIZABETH (a 19th century iron barque which limped into Stanley Harbor in 1912 after sustaining damage in a storm coming around Cape Horn). Here, we can get a panoramic view of Stanley. We stoppe at the Totem Pole (a sign post erected by the military which indicates the mileage to their home towns in Britain). The town peat bog, which used to be the main fuel source for the town, is also interesting. We also visited the Anglican Cathedral (built in the 1890s). Tthe Falkland Islands Museum, which houses an eclectic collection of anything having to do with the Falklands was especially interesting - it covered everything from flora and fauna to ladies hat pins.

After lunch, we took a shuttle bus out to Tumbledown - a windswept craggy peak that (supposedly) has a war memorial on it. We never found the memorial, but we did enjoy the chance to really stretch our legs and do a little hiking. The views were lovely, and we had a nice sunny day so the wind didn't make us too cold. After our hike several us retired to The Globe - the local pub - and enjoyed a few adult beverages and quite a few laughs.