This was our full day tour of Pebble Island with our hosts Jacqui and Allan in two separate land rovers since there were more guests than one Land Rover could accommodate. We were in Allan's vehicle and he proved to be an excellent guide and explained everything of interest very well. He was especially good with the history of the Falklands War of 1982 in which Argentina invaded the Falklands in an attempt to gain control of the islands. Because of the iron will of Prime Minister of Great Britain at the time, Margaret Thatcher and the strong backing from her parliament, the British were able to defeat the Argentine forces some three months later. We visited memorial sites, the grave of Argentine airmen and the site where British forces destroyed 11 Argentine aircraft that were parked on the landing strip as well as the memorial to a British frigate sunk by the Argentines in The Sound just off Pebble Island.
We took packed lunches and ate them while viewing a Rockhopper Penguin rookery. Nearby was a large nesting area of Giant Petrels, or 'Stinkers' as they are called in the Falklands. Later we visited a Gentoo Penguin rookery.
Pebble Island is named for the marble size stones, or pebbles found on some of the beaches. They are an agate like stone that can be tumbled to a very glossy finish.
We also were shown some of the native fauna, including the beautifully named and delicate flowers 'Lady Slippers' and 'Pale Maidens'. There are many different plants, but due to the constant winds they are mostly very short stemmed. The two fern species are aptly named 'Small Ferns' and 'Tall Ferns'. There are large areas called 'Diddle Dee' deserts covered with a low, densely packed plant related to the crowberry family. Sheep will not eat it making those areas useless for grazing purposes.
Like most of the islands there are only about half a dozen people living on Pebble Island.
Very welcome tea and treats were waiting for us when we returned late in the afternoon.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.