Monday: West Point Island, Falkland Islands

 

When we arrived at West Point Island, it was overcast and windy, gusts to 45 MPH.  Our 40 minute Zodiac ride was bumpy and wet, the most difficult we had faced during the entire voyage.  The island is the most westerly point in the Falkland archipelago.  Our objective today was to walk 1-1/4 miles across the island to the sea cliffs for bird viewing.

The trek crossed rolling hills along a rocky trail. The landscape consisted of grass with patches of moss, there were no trees.

As we approached the sea cliffs, the vegetation increased in height making it difficult to see the person ahead.  

Suddenly we found ourselves on the edge of a large rookery of southern rock hopper penguins.

Though we were but a few feet from them, the rock hoppers had no fear.  

Nearby were nests containing black brow albatross.  The chicks, not yet equipped to fly,  sat on their nests waiting to be feed.

Bird watchers noted that there were far fewer nests on these cliffs than usual.  They are uncertain of the cause.

After a couple of hours on the windy cliffs, we returned to the landing site.

As we neared the landing site we noticed solar panels that power the single residence on the island.

The caretaker and his wife were expecting us and had prepared hot tea and scones for our enjoyment.  They seldom leave their island home and haven't left the island in 13 months.

Needless to say, we enjoyed and much  appreciated their hospitality on this blistery day!

The winds had picked up making our return to the ship even rougher and wetter than our arrival.  (But we don't complain, we are travelers, not tourists!)

From here we spent two-days at sea before arriving in Uruguay.