So it is official, our stop in Port Stanley, Falkland Islands is cancelled. Another day at sea, but we are sailing in calmer waters closer to the Argentinian coast. The rumor was that a Princess Ship was in the bay at Port Stanley, but apparently they could not get their tenders into the water and after two hours left the bay and headed to their next port. We had an invitation to a private party in a suite for wine and hors d’oeuvres this evening. Joan and I concluded that their suite wasn’t really that much nicer than ours. It was a nice gathering and we met a few new people.
Since we did not get to the Falklands, let me give you a little history about the Falkland Islands and the Falkland war. It is not known for sure who discovered these islands, but they appeared on a map dated 1575. In 1592 Capt. John Davies was the first to claim that he discovered the island, but it appeared on at least one map dated 18 years earlier. As I mentioned before, the Spanish speakers call the islands the Malvinas. Over the centuries the area has been controlled by the Spanish, French, British and Argentina. The South Georgia Islands are farther east and south, and play a big part in the history of the region. Both of these groups of islands can not be farmed or maintain livestock other than sheep. The entire island has a population of about 3500 and Port Stanley numbers 2974 of those residents. The Falklands are very important to expeditions to refuel and get other supplies before attempting travel through the very rough water of the Drake Passage which is between Cape Horn in Chile and the Shetland Islands of Antarctica. This passage connects the southwestern Atlantic Ocean with the southeastern part of the Pacific Ocean.
In March 1982, the South Georgia Islands were under British control and an Argentinian junk dealer was sent to tear down items for recycling. He raised the Argentinian flag and the British demanded it be removed. When he refused, a battle ensued in April 1982. The entire war was several battles over 74 days between Argentina and the UK over control of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. Argentina underestimated the resolve of PM Margaret Thatcher to fight for this territory. It is felt that if Argentina had not had so many errors during this conflict, they and not the UK would control this territory today. It should also be noted that although they lost this war, Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over Islas Malvinas; however, the residents voted overwhelmingly (99.8%) to remain a UK territory 2013.
Sorry no pictures again today.
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