Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) West Point Island.

So I recall saying the morning excursion at New Island was a bit tough. Ha it was simply a warm up for West Point. As the blurb says: West Point Island is situated off the most northerly point of mainland West Falkland. It encompasses an area of 1255 ha (3,100 acres), and has a booming population of two people. A 2 km undulating walk will then take us from the settlement on the east side of the island to the Devil’s Nose and surrounding cliffs on the west side where black-browed albatross and rockhopper penguins nest. We plan to end of excursion with a final stop for afternoon tea, hosted by the island caretakers.

Sounds easy? The walk was more like 2.5 – 3km and was much steeper and windier than this morning. As we had arrived late, after 5pm, and thus had less time, (get back by 7.15pm), land rovers were made available for those less capable – we opted to walk to ensure we didn’t miss anything.

So those of you who have had enough of albatross chicks and rockhopper penguins can stop reading now… what we found at the end of the walk was certainly worth seeing.

Albatross nest in the open as they need the wind and the ability to open their wings fully to take off. Chicks hatched about a week ago. Chicks fly away in April. Dark bills are immature and don’t breed until at least 5 years of age. Nests built with peat and their own saliva and guano. Biggest might be 30 years old.

Rock hopper chicks about 3 weeks old. They lay two eggs. First egg is smaller and dirtier than the second. The second has the best chance of survival. Best crests best chance for breeding. Striated Caracara main predator of the chicks. Rockhoppers winter in the ocean for six to seven months. Penguins only come ashore to breed.

14 degrees made things quite pleasant and reluctantly we turned for home. Sitting near these beautiful creatures was certainly a dream come true and another 150 or so photos had to be culled down.

Again this island reminded us of North Devon, mind you I’m not sure we have seen a vulture there.

Also found some small birds around.

Then we arrived at the homestead and a spread that so reminded me of my Auntie Dot who used to create this kind of thing just after an enormous lunch. Felt a bit sad for them as we knew we were heading back to dinner so did not partake in too much.

One final treat as Garrie spotted a different type of penguin – the Magellanic a little further down the island and our zodiac driver obliged by getting us as close as possible on the way back to the ship. Jasmyn this is your penguin.

So two, of perhaps seven, types of penguin down and it’s only day one.

Back to the ship. Worked on my hat for the holiday & austral solstice hat competition. Some craft materials were available to add to anything you could find around the ship. We will be wearing them to dinner tomorrow.

Finally the 9.15pm bar talk. The Warrah. (The extinct Falkland island wolf).

Called the foolish dog as it was so friendly it was too easy to kill. Last one taken to London zoo and died early. Not quite Fox or dog. A bit dingo like. The lecturer drank beer and told us that the great albatross told her that they loved sauerkraut, lived in burrows and beamed themselves up Scottie. Funny but a bit silly for me, maybe I hadn’t had enough Malbec. Darwin was puzzled by it so it became famous. A sad story really.

Beer of the day was a Paulaner. I have no notes telling me what Garrie thought so he’ll have to try another one another time. Tomorrow Stanley!