Pitcairn Island, one of four tiny islands in the group, is the only one inhabited. This last remaining British Overseas Territory, located in the remote South Pacific, is the furthest inhabited land from any continent on the earth! There is no airport; there is only one circuitous road; there is no TV reception although TVs with DVD players are numerous; there is no internet but the HAM radio tower keeps the inhabitants in touch with the outside world; there are only about 4 dozen people living there. All are descendants of the mutineers of the HMS Bounty and their Polynesian companions.
The mutineers arrived on Pitcairn in 1790. They set fire to the HMS Bounty in order to sink her and hide her from discovery. The wreck is still visible underwater and was, in fact, discovered by the National Geographic explorer Luis Marden in 1957.
Today, half the population of Pitcairn came aboard the MS Amsterdam. The pictures will tell the story about our day. You all know the story of Mutiny on the Bounty! We met the descendants of the Bounty Mutineers!
We anchored in Bounty Bay and awaited the Longboat from Adamstown.This is Bounty Bay and the Longboat Shed.This is not a large island. Pitcairn is the only inhabited island of the group.This is it! A full view of Bounty Bay and Adamstown.What we are looking at here is a switchback on the “Hill of Difficulty Road!” Aptly named!The houses look quite nice.Our guests are coming alongside.The stern line is set.And half the population of Pitcairn climbs the ladder and comes aboard! Please note that there doesn’t seem to be much merchandise there. Hopefully, there is more under that plywood floor!!!And yes, there was more merchandise stowed under the temporary plywood floor of the longboat! Carts and carts were brought up to the Lido Deck.Thank Goodness! Even more merchandise. 1200 passengers, who spent the last 5 days at sea + an abundance of new and interesting wares equals…..…..a mob scene! I managed to buy a golf shirt by snaking my arm into the mass; pulling out the first thing I touched; and holding up cash with my other hand. Success: size close enough, color OK, souvenir bagged!Rog is pointing to Pitcairn on the globe. It truly is in the middle of nothingness. Notice the shirt.Got the logo; bought in Bounty Bay; so who’s gonna know it was manufactured in Honduras! Don’t tell!One table was set up to stamp the passports of passengers who so desired–US $5.00.Some people are buying postcards with a Pitcairn stamp to send out of Pitcairn on the next mailboat, scheduled to arrive in Mid-March. US $3.00/card (stamp included.)And all too soon, the day is over and the longboat comes back to pick up our guests.We say farewell to Pitcairn Island.
Now another couple of days at sea as we sail to Papeete, Tahiti.
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