Stanley!

Finally here in Stanley! Good flight over from Punta Arenas - sat next to a couple of National Geographic photographers heading down to South Sandwich Islands near Antarctica for an assignment. Was very jealous of their fancy cameras and the whole concept of being sent off to exotic locations to take photos!

01 Kitchen view

Touched down in Mount Pleasant airport in nice weather - blue skies and sun - and after clearing customs was met by my old friend from Adelaide, Lee, who had been working in the Falklands for about 1.5 years. The drive back to Stanley from the airport takes about 40 minutes and gave me a first look at the countryside. First thing you notice is there are absolutely no trees, second thing is that it's pretty rugged and then you notice the minefields along the road. Some nice trouty-looking rivers along the way too. Also notice the stone-runs' which are the main geological feature in the Islands - rivers of rock laid down by glaciation.

02 Pano

A quick drive around Stanley for orientation and then I get dropped off at my new home. It's a small one bedroom unit with a hideously garish floral lounge suite that any granny would be proud of. From the kitchen window I have a view across The Narrows, which is the entrance to the harbour here. Out the lounge window I have a view of a carpark. Oh well. I find that my little flat has been stocked with some essentials to see me through my first days - some tea, sugar, some eggs, milk, bread, jam and a can of spam.