Tristan da Cunha
Trip Start
Feb 25, 2007
1
6
74
Trip End
Nov 12, 2007
Tristan da Cunha,
Saint Helena
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
"We managed again, a landing on the most remote inhabited Island of the world. A place without a harbour or airport but with 300 people that have about 5 different family names. Everybody owns some sheep, one cow, a potato patch, and 1 car per family. But the times are changing, there is television on the Island since 2001 and they upgraded it last year to two channels. Also last year a internet café was opened and they hope to have internet access in every house before Christmas. The landing was a close call this year.
The Europa was already for two days on anchor but the swell was too high to enter the tiny harbour with our rubber boat. But from our anchorage we had a great look on the 2000m high volcano and the special yellow nose Albatrosses were all around us
On a stroll through the streets of the most remote
. We did some fishing and Kingsley caught a huge 45 kg sea bass. That gave us some excellent sushi, fish soup, and a great meal for everybody. When the landing on Monday was possible, at last everybody could stretch their legs for a walk to the potato patches (4 km) from the village. For the really sportive crew, a golf course of 4 holes was raised around the grave yard. The original golf course was in use by the cattle. Our golfers tried hard, but I think this was more for the pictures then for the muscle activity. Then everybody had to write some postcards with the unique stamps and visit the cute museum/craft shop. And of course, last but not least, drink a beer and a talk with the locals in the cafeteria. But then the clock is ticking and we have to leave this really special place, because it is still a long sail to Cape Town (1580 Miles). Next year we hope to have a bit more luck in the landings. There is also a good chance that the new and extended breakwaters are ready by then so that landings are possible with our zodiacs in higher swell conditions. We traded some local Lobster, which is the trade mark and main industry of the Island. Most of it is exported to the US and Japan and they make a good price for it. Through their strict fishing policy and quota for the fish and lobster around the Island they manage their fishing industry well. We also received a huge Octopus that will be cooked today by Sharon from Australia, her speciality she told us."- Klaas
