[Paddlewise] Paddling in the Falklands

Hi Steve,

My name is Fernando Lopez Arbarello and I am from Argentina. Some years
ago, while just arrived from a kayak expedition to and around Capo Horn,
he was s exited telling me the details of his trip that I couldn't
resist asking him ... And what's next ? To which he replied ... The
Falklands. Of course being argentinians the acces to the islands for us
was unthinkable at the time, but the idea kept going on and on in my
head until it started to have a shape.

I contacted the BCU and asked them if they would be interested in
coorganizing with us a sea kayak convention in the Falklands, inviting
paddlers from different countries, no flags, no politics, no
soverignity, just showing te world that paddlers from two countries once
at war, could get togeather in the same battlefields to have fun, share
their sport, knowledge and experience, and restoring friendship as the
link between their nations.

They got so exited with the idea that both groups started to work
inmediately. To make the story short ... The British government wouldn't
let us argentineans visit the islands without a valid passport and visa.
The argentinean government wouldn't sponsort an event developed in
argentinean territory while the argentineans are required to show a visa
to assist ... Comertial fares to do it without the sponsorship of my
governmet were incredibly expensive (transportation y sea or plane)
...bla ... bla... Bla ... No further progress ... End of the story.

I don't know whay I am telling you all this, but you are the first one I
know who has ever paddled in the islands and maybe you shoud knowa story
of politics over friendship once again. Annyway, I am currently living
in Maui, Hawaii, so I've finally my islands where to paddle so that's
just an old story. The year was 1999.

What I would like to know is how are the islands for paddling, camping,
and enjoing the nature. Who knows, maybe one day if "property" stops
being the main concern I'll be able to visit them after all.

By the way, I've been subscribed to paddlewse for four years now but I'm
so far the only argentinean in it.

Best regards.

Fernando Lopez Arbarello
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