We arrived in Stanley at 4pm local time yesterday afternoon and Eduardo Smith from the British Embassy in Guatemala City and I have settled into our accommodations at the Governor General’s House. Our layover in Santiago gave our five journalists and film crew a chance to get to know each other and allowed us to discuss our collective plans for coming visit.
While in Santiago we were grateful to have had a meeting with Jon Benjamin, the British Ambassador in Chile. The Ambassador reminded the journalists that the islanders have the right to determine their own future and Britain is imposing no agenda whatsoever on that decision. He encouraged the journalists to ask the Islanders directly about their way of life, customs and relations with Latin America.
Meeting with Ambassador John Benjamin at the UK Embassy in Santiago.
It was interesting to hear from the journalists that in their view the people of the Falkland Islands have so far remained “invisible” to Latin Americans, and that now is the time to raise their voices and share their plans with their neighbours in Latin America.
Today our group travelled to North Pond, a 1.5 hour car ride from Port Stanley where we had an “up close and personal” penguin experience with three species of penguins (Gentoo, Megalanic and King) as well as other Falkland Island wildlife. The route to North Pond took us through the Verde and Port Sussex mountains as well as Goose Green, site of a significant battle during the 1982 conflict. We also visited the San Carlos British military cemetery and museum.
All of the members of our group learned a lot on today’s trip and took plenty of photos and video. So please keep on following what we will be doing during the week as we reveal many interesting details about the Falkland Islands and the people who call these Islands home.
To see photos of the trip so far and the Spanish version please see this link.