I find the discussion on Bears Fascinating. Can I please recount a similar story from the South Atlantic. We live in regular contact with Elephant Seals. Whilst they do not generally attack humans they are supposed to run you down if you get between them and the sea. Another 'expert' idea?? Their bite is said to contain so many germs and bacteria that loss of limb is almost guaranteed. A friend of mine was recently camping on an isolated Islands off the Falklands Coast when he awoke to a horrendous noise. Two Bull Elephant Seals were fighting over territory within 3 feet of his tent! These males measure about 8 - 10 feet in length and are very large around the girth! Needless to say he got out of his tent sharpish and clattered some tins around and after what seemed a long time they scarpered. I am originally from Australia so have camped and paddled with Fresh and Salt water Crocodiles so can well sympathise with the Gator thread! Steve Dent Falkland Islands *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
There are quite a few active paddlers in the Falklands. paddling here is excellent. the weather is often cold and the sea tempreture is very cold but we get by. the biggest challenge is the very changeable weather. I have been out in Stanley Harbour in a lovely calm sea only to turn around and find a force 4/5 gale coming down the harbour at me!!! The wildlife is excellent and very accessible. I often paddle my Sealion Fastnet with real life Sea lions alongside as well as porpoises and dolphins. I encourage you and anyone else to come down and give it a go. A young local called Leif Poncet (son of Jerome Poncet for any Yachties out there) has done a circumnavigation of the top half of the falklands. East Falklands is split north and south by a very narrow isthmus near the now famous Goose Green and he crossed land near there. If you ever get the chance I would welcome you into my home (any of you!) regardless of nationality. My wife is a local and I am British born but have lived in Australia for a long time. Cheers for now Steve Dent *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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