Pitcairn
3rd May - 6th May, 2022
After 17 days at sea and 2770 NM, from Galapagos, we arrived in Bounty Bay, Pitcairn. We were lucky with the weather so we could go ashore and explore this historic island. No cell coverage on Pitcairn. We were lucky to lend WiFi at the treasure office when we paid our landing fee, so we could do a quick update on emails etc.
Our last waypoint is in Bounty Bay. As you can see we had some squalls around us
Because of the predicted northern wind and swell we went around and anchored on the more sheltered south bay, called "Down Rope".
Approaching Pitcairn in the early morning. Last stretch we sailed with only a reefed foresail so we wouldn't get in to early
This is Horizon at anchor in "Down Rope". It's called that for a reason. Spectacular anchorage. Some swells coming in from two directions, so pretty rolly. But we were sheltered from the wind and the holding was good in 15-17m.
The locals came out with a boat to take us ashore, since the sea was too rough for a dinghy ride. And also it was too far for our little electrical engine ;-)
Clear in, and out, process in a shed next to the little harbor. Clearing out, as well, at arrival so we can leave in a hurry when needed, due to weather etc.
This is Bounty Bay landing. Not very sheltered. The locals are amazing at navigating and timing the swells to get in to the harbor
But at least they have one small pier/breakwater
This is Brenda Christian, Pitcairn Islands Police & Immigration Officer. She is a descendent from the mutineers. We got a ride with her from the harbor up to the town of Adamstown. This is how you get around on the island, with quads.
Some Facts:
The Pitcairn Islands officially the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, are a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the sole British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. Pitcairn is the least populous national jurisdiction in the world. The Pitcairn Islanders are a biracial ethnic group descended mostly from nine Bounty mutineers and a handful of Tahitian consorts – as is still apparent from the surnames of many of the islanders. Today there are only 45 inhabitants on Pitcairn island.
We visited the Museum, Very small but interesting
HMS Bounty on display
Brenda is showing her relatives in the pictures
Good trail map. Easy to walk around the whole island on your own. We did it in two hours
You hike on dirt roads. Glad that it didn't rain, I bet it can be pretty muddy then
This is were we came sailing in, from the east
The highest point on the island, 330m high. This is facing west, so beautiful sunsets from up here
The steep west coast
It's amazing how green the island is when you get ashore.
A selfie on the west coast of Pitcairn
Lots of "Spruce" trees
This tree is just amazing. I wonder how old it is. Very nice shade here
Pretty flowers all over
So lush and green everywhere
On our walk we came upon the recycle center, or storage area. We got very impressed how they have sorted the glass, and plastic, in separate colors. When we asked Brenda what they do with it all she said it's a big problem for them since New Zeeland wont take it because of their strict regulations. They do use some of the glass for jewelries etc.
Here is our anchorage, Down Rope. Horizon looks tiny, a lonely . As you can see there are some swells coming in
This is Brenda's house. Talking about a house with a view. She was standing there watching us coming sailing in, talking to us on the VHF. I Love the bathtub!
Time to go back to Horizon. This is how they get the boat up and down. They always bring the boat up right away, on the pier
As you can see here, the water is pretty rough
The skipper was just amazing to navigate the rough sea and big waves
This is the view from our boat. The waves came crushing in. It was an amazing show! Behind the big rocks are a natural pool, St Pauls Pool. When the sea is calm you can hike there and go swimming. Not this day though
We got a big box with all sorts of delicious local fruits and veggies. We also got this beautiful basket. And bananas, lots of bananas. The good thing was that they got ripe different times. Also good was that we had all these fruit since we was blown in here for two days with no way to get ashore.
We stored fruits everywhere.
Made a delicious fruit salad
Of Course we had to eat bread fruit when we're at Pitcairn. Bread fruit is the reason the people lives here :-)
Inside the bread fruit. You use the bread fruit the same way you use potato
We stocked up in the local store. They opened it just for us, since we couldn't get in on the day they were open. They are just open on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays It was very well stocked, and huge
Anders found the wine and beer departement, Yay :-)
Checking out. Here they take credit card. Very convenient. You can also take out cash with your card here. They use NZ dollars but also accept US dollars
I visited the local school, which at the moment only had three girls attending. They were really proud and happy to show their school. I gave them some spools of sewing threads which they were happy to receive. Beautiful setting around the school
Me and Brenda walked the "ECO trail" to look at Christian's cave. It started to rain so we didn't climb up to the cave. But we could clearly see it from below
Brenda drove us around on the quad to try to find Miss T, the only Tortoise that lives on the island. Someone brought her and four other Tortoises here from Galapagos in the 50s. She is now the only one left and is roaming free on the island. She loves when you come and feed here. I fed her cucumber, Yum Yum...
We got invited to Brenda and her husband, Mike, for coffee before we left. Brenda lived in the UK over twenty years, and that's where they met. And then he came with her back to Pitcairn. Lovely people!
Buy Guys, Thanks for the rides. Very sea worthy and capable boat, and crew
When we were ready to set sail from Pitcairn our anchor was stuck. We called on VHF and asked for help. Right away they came out with a diver who got the anchor loose. We tried to pay them but they just said " No worries" and wished us a good sail. These people are just amazing!
The locals with the diver came to retrieve our anchor. A quick job for a diver. We were very relieved!
Happy to be on the way at again after four rolly days at anchor here in Pitcairn
Bye, Bye Pitcairn and all wonderful people living in this remote island. Next stop Gambier, French Polynesia.