Falkland Islands.
Discussion
Myself and a few friends are hoping to go walking on the Falkland Islands in January 2014. our main objectives would be to visit a few of the battlefield sites and memorials and a fair chunk of photography.
Any suggestions for tour packages, or "going it alone"? Is wild camping allowed (we will try to avoid the mine fields!
SD.
Any suggestions for tour packages, or "going it alone"? Is wild camping allowed (we will try to avoid the mine fields!
SD.
Easiest way is to join up.....but seriously the RAF fly out weekly. I know the islanders use it to fly there sk im sure civilians can but I do know its expensive i.e. couple of thousand pounds. As for going around the place or as its known "the camp", there are tours that are run. Having spent in total a year there I ysed to get a few maps out and go round places myself. You can still see a lot of artifacts from the battles etc. But be careful when you go out and not take into account the weather. As for mines, there are maps and plenty of signs. Word of caution, dont take any of the mine signs, its considered 1 below treason!
There are a fair amount of hotels/b&b type places as the Islanders have more than cottoned on to the tourism side of life. When I was last down there the nightlife in Stanley was pretty good but dont expect dress code etc, its more like Royston Vasey! The locals sound like New Zealanders but are pretty friendly when they realise your tourists and not mil from RAF Mount Pleasant!
There are a fair amount of hotels/b&b type places as the Islanders have more than cottoned on to the tourism side of life. When I was last down there the nightlife in Stanley was pretty good but dont expect dress code etc, its more like Royston Vasey! The locals sound like New Zealanders but are pretty friendly when they realise your tourists and not mil from RAF Mount Pleasant!
Cheapest way to get there is fly to chile then on to the Falklands after that, not much there to be honest - birds and rock rivers.
I was there in 2002 for 6 months and again in 2008 as a civvie contractor so had a bit more freedom the 2nd time around. I would get your RIB ticket, that way you and your friends could hire a fast boat to get around the two islands with relative ease.
If you time it right you may be able to jump on a frigate to South Georgia, s
t journey but unbelievable to see where Shackleton and Scott were holed up for a time with little supplies.
Camping should be fine as there is very little police presence on the island, just don't set fire to the peat or you will be in big trouble
I was there in 2002 for 6 months and again in 2008 as a civvie contractor so had a bit more freedom the 2nd time around. I would get your RIB ticket, that way you and your friends could hire a fast boat to get around the two islands with relative ease.
If you time it right you may be able to jump on a frigate to South Georgia, s
t journey but unbelievable to see where Shackleton and Scott were holed up for a time with little supplies. Camping should be fine as there is very little police presence on the island, just don't set fire to the peat or you will be in big trouble
Edited by Stumps690 on Saturday 16th February 23:46
mph1977 said:
as a civvie passenger on the RAF ( or contract to the RAF) flights from BZN - MPA or via Chile - MPA on ? LAN
Translated in to civvie speak, contact the RAF at Brize Norton (you'll find all details on their website) and I'm sure a friendly Crabfat will help you out. It isn't cheap for "strawberries" though and they quoted me a couple of thousand when I flew down there last month.You fly in to Mount Pleasant Airport which is a fair way from Stanley or most of the areas you probably want to visit so hiring a 4 x4 is essential for your visit. All info about minefields is absolutely true and they are also very strict on importing stuff so recommend doing your research before going.
I've been there in all of the seasons with winter being pretty bleak so also carefully check timings, summer is reasonably pleasant though just windy all the time. There isn't a great deal to look at and it quickly loses it appeal, think the Shetlands but more barren!! That said if you've got the money and inclination why not it is certainly different.
Spent a few days doing the main battlefield sites and they really bring home to you how hard is was for the team of 1982, memorials littered all over the islands so again research before you go. I'd also read a couple of the standard books on the war to give you the full appreciation and then it isn't just another hill or bit of grass.
As for camping, not sure how the FI Government view it for civvies so again check up before you go. I think you'd probably be better doing day trips out and walking all day retiring to the Globe in Stanley for a few wets afterwards.
I guess you could do the lot in 5-7 days max but others will probably say 24 hours is enough!
I've no ambition to go to the Falklands, but I'm genuinely interested in the concept of flying on a RAF flight as a civilian. How does it work? Assume you've booked a ticket. Do I drive to RAF BN, leave my car there for two weeks, do I pay for parking?
Also on the flight, what's the seat layout? Is it standard 3-4-3 config you find on lots of transatlantic commuter flights or is the seat layout more military-esque. As it's a RAF flight, would I need some kind of security background check? What's the check in procedure.
I'm a frequent flyer, so my only point of reference is flying through Heathrow and the likes. Am genuinely interested how these RAF flights work, and if there are any other destinations to choose from
Also on the flight, what's the seat layout? Is it standard 3-4-3 config you find on lots of transatlantic commuter flights or is the seat layout more military-esque. As it's a RAF flight, would I need some kind of security background check? What's the check in procedure.
I'm a frequent flyer, so my only point of reference is flying through Heathrow and the likes. Am genuinely interested how these RAF flights work, and if there are any other destinations to choose from
Fas1975 said:
I've no ambition to go to the Falklands, but I'm genuinely interested in the concept of flying on a RAF flight as a civilian. How does it work? Assume you've booked a ticket. Do I drive to RAF BN, leave my car there for two weeks, do I pay for parking?
Also on the flight, what's the seat layout? Is it standard 3-4-3 config you find on lots of transatlantic commuter flights or is the seat layout more military-esque. As it's a RAF flight, would I need some kind of security background check? What's the check in procedure.
I'm a frequent flyer, so my only point of reference is flying through Heathrow and the likes. Am genuinely interested how these RAF flights work, and if there are any other destinations to choose from
Book and pay for your ticket and turn up at Brize for the flight. There were a few civvy's on the flight the last time I went. Seat layout depends on the plane, its usually a chartered civvy airliner rather than a RAF plane. Even if the RAF were flying it, they use Tristar/A330 so it's the same as you'd get in civvy street.Also on the flight, what's the seat layout? Is it standard 3-4-3 config you find on lots of transatlantic commuter flights or is the seat layout more military-esque. As it's a RAF flight, would I need some kind of security background check? What's the check in procedure.
I'm a frequent flyer, so my only point of reference is flying through Heathrow and the likes. Am genuinely interested how these RAF flights work, and if there are any other destinations to choose from
Check-in procedure is the same as any other airport. Scans and searches etc. You dont need a background check, just your passport.
The Falklands are your only destination though I'm afraid unless you are using the indulgence system to catch a flight to anywhere else the RAF happen to be traveling to (you need to be a serving member or immediate family of someone who is in order to be eligible)
DuraAce said:
Book and pay for your ticket and turn up at Brize for the flight. There were a few civvy's on the flight the last time I went. Seat layout depends on the plane, its usually a chartered civvy airliner rather than a RAF plane. Even if the RAF were flying it, they use Tristar/A330 so it's the same as you'd get in civvy street.
Check-in procedure is the same as any other airport. Scans and searches etc. You dont need a background check, just your passport.
The Falklands are your only destination though I'm afraid unless you are using the indulgence system to catch a flight to anywhere else the RAF happen to be traveling to (you need to be a serving member or immediate family of someone who is in order to be eligible)
Top man, thanks for thatCheck-in procedure is the same as any other airport. Scans and searches etc. You dont need a background check, just your passport.
The Falklands are your only destination though I'm afraid unless you are using the indulgence system to catch a flight to anywhere else the RAF happen to be traveling to (you need to be a serving member or immediate family of someone who is in order to be eligible)
DuraAce said:
The Falklands are your only destination though I'm afraid unless you are using the indulgence system to catch a flight to anywhere else the RAF happen to be traveling to (you need to be a serving member or immediate family of someone who is in order to be eligible)
You can fly to Ascension Island itself now as well, http://www.ascension-flights.com/default.asp, opened to tourists in 2002.I quite like the idea of a flight down and then catching the RMS St Helena to visit St Helena before they build the airport.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff