Falklands: Fact or Fiction?

Since the war in 1982 there have existed a few myths and misconceptions about the Falkland Islands, probably due to the distance and lack of communication for many years.

I would like to bust some of the myths and confirm some of the truths right now, starting with 7 popular assertions. See how you score!


Statement # 1. The Falkland Islands are found somewhere off the coast of Scotland.




FICTION. They are located off the coast of South America in the South Atlantic Ocean.



Statement # 2. Penguins comically fall over backwards trying to crane their heads upwards when fighter jets fly low over their colonies.




FICTION. They do no such thing.



Statement # 3. There is only one newspaper on the islands, called the Penguin News.



FACT. The Penguin News is published weekly and contains the usual news and soundbites and also anything locals want to share with the rest of the community, personal or trivial!




Statement # 4. All Argentinians believe the islands belong to them and want to come and reclaim the territory for themselves.





PARTLY TRUE. Thorny but the way it appears to me is that there are those Argentinians who believe that the islands should fall within Argentinian government and the current leader is of that ilk and those who have been misguidedly led to think that the locals all want to be Argentinian and are being oppressed. However there are plenty of friendly supporters too.




Statement # 5. The place is wall-to-wall penguins and residents are almost tripping over them on a daily basis.





FICTION. While there are many healthy-sized colonies of several species of penguin on the islands, it can take some arduous off-road driving, hiking or travel by helicopter to view them.




Statement # 6. There is nothing else to do on the Falklands except get drunk and all the locals revel in this.




FICTION. Although alcohol is cheap and entertainment is naturally more limited than in the UK, recent efforts by senior staff on the military base have led to a reduction in late hours drinking and anti-social behaviour (also known as 'fun') and the bars in Stanley keep closing at odd times preventing a decent all-dayer or lock-in. Parties of a frisky nature do still occur, not often including us old fogies with kids of course, but it is not quite the scene it might once have been.




Statement # 7. The Falklands are within the Antarctic convergence and are often bathed in snow and sub-zero temperatures, with an overall climate much colder than the UK.




FICTION. The islands are the same distance from the south pole as London is from the North Pole so the climate is broadly similar. However, the effect is moderated by the presence of a LOT of wind, which cools the maxium temperature, blows the bejeesus out of people on average one day a fortnight and often whips away the clouds, leaving a bright and sunny overall experience.

Reflecting on the little differences

We are fast approaching the halfway point in our stay here in the Falklands so I have written down a few of the things that make life different out here.


Things I miss:


Family and friends
Wind-free walks
Decent shops
Woodland trees
Fresh fruit and veg
Unlimited internet
Playing hockey
Fresh milk
Pub beer gardens
Beautiful British landscapes
Chippy tea
Sky +
Organic poultry
Guaranteed posting dates
A non-ulcerated mouth
Reading proper newspapers and magazines within 2 weeks of publication


Things I don't miss:


Rain
Crime and fear of crime
Certain supermarkets
Traffic and motorways
Rushing about
Working too hard
Stairs
Cars as status symbols
Paying for parking
Traffic wardens
Doorstep sellers
Anonymity and thoughtlessness of general British public

Things that will take some getting used to when we go back:


No-one acknowledging as you drive by ('Falkland Finger')
Roundabouts
Driving in lanes
Bridges
Trees
Humidity
Multi-storey car parks
Shops being open 24 hours
Being able to order takeaway food
Pubs and cafes without boxes of toys
Going round supermarkets without child-sized trolleys
Hearing neighbour's noise and not the roar of aircraft
People (hopefully) coming to visit and it costing less than £2000!

Freebies

Just a little note to add that from 4th November 2011 for a month, all parcels under 2 kg are free to send to us. Blueys in hard copy (available from post offices) and e-blueys, which get printed out at the destination and are found at www.ebluey.com are also free to send to us at this address.