Yesterday on Throwback Thursday I started thinking about all of my travels and I want to share one of my favorite travel highlights of my life. Meet the Penguins at Volunteer Point in the Falkland Islands. I mean who can’t resist a cute Penguin, right?
Best tour ever!
Meet Penguins at Volunteer Point, Falkland Islands
My husband had never cruised before and cruising down the South American coastline was a dream of mine. A huge bucket list trip! One of my secrets of travel is to just plan it, make it happen. I was only 36 at the time and it was the year I went after my dreams. A cruise in South America and a contestant in the Mrs. Colorado pageant (another story for another time) The point is if you have a bucket list item you just have to plan it to make it happen. If you love photography, nature, penguins, or hapen to find yourself on a South American cruise, then you should read further.
Our Princess Cruise began in Buenos Aires, Argentina and sailed to Valparaiso, Chile. This trip took place in late January 2008. The Cruise had a port stop in the Falkland Islands. Using TripAdvisor, I came across Patrick Watts penguin tours to Volunteer Point. I booked direct with him months in advance and let him know I was on a cruise. Tours were pricey but worth every penny. It’s a day tour but it still allowed some time for a beer in Stanley before going back to the Ship.
(Book direct because the cruise ships charge double.)
When we arrived, we looked for Patrick’s sign and were taken to Land Rovers and other 4 Wheel Vehicles. This tour is good for an adventurer who doesn’t need luxury as it’s a bumpy, long ride traveling through bogs in the back of a Land Rover. Seriously, they just drive over bogs once the road ends to get to the final destination of Volunteer Point. Volunteer Point is remote like a travel adventurers daydream.
Are we there yet?
I ended up in the same car as someone who attended the same high school in San Diego that I went to. It’s a small world began to play. No, not really, only in my head. Isn’t amazing how many wonderful people you meet all around the globe that you have connections with?
Meeting a fellow classmate on the tour, It’s a small world, after all….
OK back to the story. It was a long, bumpy ride in the back of a Land Rover filled with people. Is it legal to sit in the far back without a seatbelt? Are we going to get stuck, we aren’t even on a paved road? One tip for this tour, go potty before you get into the vehicle, it’s a long ride and it won’t be fun if you have to pee. Rest assured this tour is the coolest thing you will ever do on the Falkland Islands and maybe even your entire life. 10 years later I still look back on this and I am so glad that I had this experience. Ready to see some Penguins?
Gee, Gentoo Penguins are cute!
Hey, Where do I fit in?
I could have stayed here forever. The tour was too short. I think we had about 2 hours here at Volunteer Point, it was ten years ago and I lose track of time frequently. Photographers come and spend longer amounts of time here. It’s the place to come if you love capturing wildlife.
This tour is one of the highlights of my life. Ten years later, I still look at these photographs and smile. Travel creates memories that stick with you forever. If you are fortunate to find yourself in the Falkland Islands you may find yourself standing in a field full of Penguins. Take lots of photographs!
Here is one my husband took
A Penguin Parade in the Falklands
May you always be inspired to capture the memories, see the beauty, book that trip, and connect with the people and wildlife on the incredible planet we live on,
Bonnie
Volunteer Point, Falkland Islands
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