Day 21 - Westpoint and New Islands, West Falklands

Our last day in the Falkland Islands.  

The ship stayed at Saunders Island overnight so we were not rocked about.  During breakfast it moved a short distance to Westpoint Island.

After breakfast we were taken to the landing site where we were met by the caretaker of the island.  The island has been owned by the same family since 1879.  At the moment the family are away and a caretaker is looking after things.

Like Carcass Island yesterday, it is really beautiful and scenic.  We walked across the island to Devils Nose Point to see Albatross nesting colonies and a few Rockhopper Penguins but unfortunately they didn't 'hop' for us.

On our return we were invited to walk around the grounds of the small settlement and see the gardens and vegetable area.  We noticed that the Ships Head Chef was there buying fresh veg for our remaining meals.


Westpoint Farmhouse

Beach on Westpoint Island 

View on Westpoint Island 


Brown Faced Ground Tyrant

Albatross chicks

Rockhopper Penguins 

Upland Geese in flight

? Bird on pole over farmhouse

Turkey Vulture

Steamer Ducks


Diving Duck


Entrance to Westpoint Farm

Vegetable garden at Westpoint Farm

Westpoint Farm


 

Nesting Albatross Chicks


Nesting Albatross Chicks


Nesting Albatross Chicks


We then sailed for about 3 hours to our final excursion - New Island.  This was a 4km walk and back along the island to the top of high cliffs where Black Browed Albatross and Rockhopper Penguins had colonies.  There was a small museum about the history if the island run by the land owners and we had a look around before getting the Zodiac back to the ship.

Houses on New Island 

Bay with shipwreck near settlement 
on New Island

Cliff face that looked to be all rocks 
but zooming in showed many 
Rockhoppers and Albatross


Albatross chicks camouflaged on cliff face



Rockhopper Penguins camouflaged on cliff face

Rockhopper Penguins

View of nearby island

Nesting Albatross Chicks

Nesting Albatross Chicks

Rockhopper chick goes to wrong parents

The ship sailed around 6 pm for the crossing over to the Magellan Strait and then to Punta Arenas which will take 36 hours.

We used the jacuzzi and sauna (which was a strange experience as the ship sailed into open water) and watched as the beautiful Falklands gradually disappeared from view.

Last view of Falkland Islands 


Goodbye Falkland Islands 









Comments

  1. Ann24 February 2022 at 10:16

    Steph will be pleased with all the badges you have got her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jean Dalby24 February 2022 at 11:05

      Hope so, although she is not getting them until she has sewn the backlog onto her blanket.

      Delete
    2. JustSteph25 February 2022 at 12:50

      I am very pleased with my badges so I will now pick you up from Heathrow!!

      Delete
    3. Ann26 February 2022 at 10:09

      Have you seen your other badges on Steph?

      Delete

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