Tour Destination – Falkland Islands (Islas Malvines) – South America

Tour Destination – Falkland Islands (Islas Malvines) – South America
Norman A. Rubin

Ever since the Falkland War between England and Argentina in 1982, people worldwide have taken an interest in this area in the South Atlantic. The war was a claim of sovereignty by Argentina through the historical claim it was Argentinean territory before the British takeover in 1833. The invasion of the Falklands by Argentinean forces and the subsequent war resulted in the defeat and withdrawal of the Argentinean forces. Since the war harmony has been restored and there have been strong economic ties between Argentina and England in both fisheries and tourism.

Now to relate a bit of history and geography, which is according to the Encyclopedia "Information Please"? (And other online encyclopedias) "Falkland Islands (Islas Mavinas – Spanish) officially Colony of the Falkland Islands, is a group of Islands (2005 est. population 3,000), an area of 4,618 sq mi (11,961 sq km), South Atlantic Ocean, east of the Strait of Magellan. The islands are administered as a British crown colony with the capital at Stanley. There are two large islands (East Falkland and West Falkland) and some 200 small ones. From 1908 to 1985 South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands were dependencies of the colony. The Falklands are rather bleak, rocky moorlands, swept by wind and drenched by chill rain. The population is almost entirely British, Christian, and English-speaking." 'http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0818189.html'

Now that we have packed our bags with the correct clothing for the climate of the Falkland we will now proceed to board our flight, which had been arranged by our travel agent. It was arranged that we take a direct flight to the Falklands from South America by LAN, the Chilean national airline, which has direct flights. (Another option is with MoD charter flight from Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England)

Through your travel agent your accommodations can be easily booked by the worldwide net. At the historic cathedral town of Stanley, the Islands’ capital, there is a choice of two small, but well-appointed hotels, three guest houses and a growing number of bed and breakfast establishments. Lodging can also run between comfortable tourist lodges in remote locations and holiday cottages on island farms. The choice is yours. From the moment you arrive and settled in your lodging you will find that the Falkland Islands offers you total personal security, clean and invigorating fresh air, friendly people that offers you a bit of talk , no crowded byways, no neon bars, no fast food outlets, and, above all, no stressing the hurry worry life.

One of the main reasons why the Falkland Islands is attractive to visitors is that the island is home to a vast multitude of fauna and bird life. As a nature and bird lover your digital camera and camcorder can film at close quarters some of the millions of seabirds and mammals which breed in the Falklands - black-browed albatross, giant petrels, five kinds of penguin, elephant seals, sea lions, striated caracara, crested caracara, night heron, etc.. As you walk the beach you will find in one direction a colony of several thousand gentoo penguins and in another, you may observe the domestic life of several hundred elephant seals. (The peak season for bird watching on the Falklands is from between November to February.)

Now I have not forgotten those ardent fishermen who like to cast their line. The Falklands is an ideal spot for fly-fishing where catches of thirty to forty pounds of trout weighing between three and five pounds per rod are not uncommon The best center according to fly-fishing enthusiasts, the best centre for fly-fishing on the Falklands is to be found at Port Howard Lodge. I am sure that you will not be disappointed in your fishing with photos of you holding your catch as evidence.

Off course there are other activities waiting for your enjoyment from scuba diving in the cold clear waters, mountain climbing of biking, camping at the outdoors, hiking through the terrain, visiting the outer islands, kayaking, etc… It is up to you…

Eating out is a gourmet's delight by sampling the islands culinary delights at various restaurants at differing meal times. The local seafood dishes are excellent, with a variety to whet the appetite - featuring mussels, oysters, scallops and snow crab as well as local sea trout and Atlantic Rock cod. (Your taste buds would not be complete without sampling the delightful specialty of the local squid caught in deep waters.) The bustling restaurants are also serve delicious organic meat and are famed for the lamb dishes, Upland Goose paté and beef and mutton all of which has been reared on the wide plains are also served dishes are further enhanced by the flavors from the very fresh and local-grown vegetables. My mouth simply waters in the thought of such delicious meals.

Now that I have mentioned the scenic wonders, the various activities one could take part and the fauna and birdlife; I hope I have tempted you to take a holiday with your family on Falkland Islands. Then you will understand the slogan of island "Where Nature Takes Charge." 'http://www.falklandislands.com/'

NOTE: The islands are today officially called the Falkland Islands – name dates back to an English Expedition led by John Strong in 1690 who named the island after his patron Anthony Cary, 5th Viscount Falkland. The Spanish name for these islands, 'Islas Malvinas (Malouines – French)' was bestowed in 1764 by Louis de Bouganville after the Breton mariners and fishermen from the port of Saint-Malo, France who became the island's first known settlers.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticles.org

Various tourist guides and encyclopedias.