Today we entered the sleepy port of Stanley, one of the remaining outposts of the British Empire. As we entered the harbor, history was etched across the seascape. Wrecks of old ships tell of a past time when they were seaworthy but now they list, are partly submerged, or serve as moorage platforms or old docks.
The quaint colored houses contrast with the more cryptic coloration of Flightless steamer ducks, Giant petrels and geese that occupy the harbor. We landed after lunch and people headed off for a variety of destinations including the West Store, Upland Goose Hotel, and the Pink Shop to look for locally made wool sweaters, artwork, and other reminders of this corner of the world. Many people headed off to the museum to learn more about the 1982 Falkland Island war and stopped by the ordinance office to see the map detailing the posted and fence areas where landmines from the Falkland Island war remain. The post office, which is near the waterfront on the main street of Stanley, could be in a small village in England as all the cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. The post office is a center of activity as many people pick up their mail when they get into town. For most it was a stop to buy stamps to send postcards. For the stamp collectors the philatelic office next door provided an exceptional opportunity to examine the Falkland Island stamps and first day covers that frequently depict local wildlife and plants.
