Pitcairn Island Post

Pitcairn Island is where Fletcher Christian and his fellow mutineers on the HMS Bounty landed and burned the ship in 1742. Today there are only 59 residents living on the island and most of them are descended either from the mutineers of else from the Polynesian women that accompanied the mutineers when they left Tahiti following the mutiny. The plan was for many of the 59 residents to sail out to the ship and board about Noon for a visit that would include a native presentation (show) and they would set up tables offering locally-made items for sale. This is because the island is surrounded by rocks that make cruise ship landings or visits even by tendering too hazardous.

However, a recent cruise ship visit unfortunately brought the H2N3 flu virus and many island residents became infected. Therefore as a precaution against the flu spreading onboard our ship, the Captain decided nobody would board from the island and everyone onboard was understanding and appreciative. And instead the Captain chose to sail the Amsterdam around the island slowly giving us many great views and we are including many of the photos we shot that day in this post. Some of the crew dressed in costume and served snacks on the outside deck as we sailed around Pitcairn Island. We even spotted a sailing vessel that rounded the island from the other direction.

Also we met a young couple from Russia, Anna and Ivan, and we enjoyed sharing our travel experiences with them. They live outside Moscow and encouraged us to come for a visit soon. We'll see :) Now it's two more sea days until we arrive in Tahiti. And the weather continues to be so beautiful on this cruise. Good day!!