February 14 - Valentine’s Day en route to the Falklands

We’re into our first of two sea days on the way to Stanley in the Falkland Islands, or as the Argentines call them the Malvinas.  We have partly cloudy skies, fairly light wind, and 41°.  The captain reported that there is a system moving toward the Falklands so we’ll have to see how it will be on Thursday when we arrive there.  It’s a tender port and if the wind and seas are too rough, we’ll be unable to go ashore.

Today there are a few lectures, an art class, and two parties for repeat passengers.  Tonight they are having a Valentine’s Ball.  For myself and the other solo passengers it is a little sad today, but life does go on.

Since I don’t have anything noteworthy to write about I’m going to upload some of the marvelous photos and hopefully a couple of videos that friends have shared with me from our day at Salisbury Plain.  Some of the things I did see but they are much better photographers than I am. They went over a little rocky hill and were able to see sights that I regret I didn’t try to see.  If I’d had a walking stick with me, I would have tried to negotiate the path, but I didn’t so it was my loss.  I can enjoy it vicariously and so can you.

Penguins in the way of the zodiac

This gives you an idea of the surf we landed in and had to negotiate to wade ashore

Have you ever seen so many penguins?

A few guys just hanging around

This guy is molting and you can just see some white feathers coming out on his shoulder and feet

We decided these two were the "Valentine's Day" pair

Isn't he a cutie?

This guy was looking for some chicks to have for lunch

There's nothing like a good yawn.