We anchored in the landing at Bounty Bay around 9pm after 51 hours sailing into a brisk headwind. It was dark, eerie and I had no idea what was happening. It was tremendously exciting. We saw the quad bikes by their headlights coming down the ‘Hill of Difficulty’ to the landing where soon the boats would come to meet our yacht. I felt like a little kid, I was so excited. I couldn’t believe I was about to set foot on Pitcairn Island.
There were two small wooden motorboats that came with the help of crosschartering.com with the SV Xplore, not one of the famous long boats because we were a small group. One was for the luggage. The other was for the 8 passengers; including three Pitcairn residents and myself. There was a big swell in the water and the step down from the Xplore into the wooden boats below was treacherous and slippery.
I was worried for some of the less able passengers but everyone made it down OK and dry for the most part. We then headed onto the Pitcairn landing dock where the entire island came down to meet our boats and welcome us with open arms. It was an incredible experience that is hard to put into words properly.
It was a tremendous rush of adrenaline. If that sounds weird, it’s because it’s one of those experiences that cannot be explained-it has to be experienced. I am not overstating this point.
Perhaps some of the build up for years of knowing that I would come to this special place. Possibly the 51 hours of sailing with half the passengers throwing up and the long days and nights in the hot bunks. Maybe it’s the history here, the almost mythological legends and mystery surrounding the mutiny on the bounty, its survivors and their current descendants still living here. Likely all contributes to the thrill. But believe me, when they come to the boat and everything happens so fast, it’s a whirlwind of excitement-especially in the dark.
Then to be welcomed into their world with open arms, leis, hugs and handshakes from all these amazing people; it’s enough to make you shout out like you just jumped out of a plane. I have been here two hours now and I still haven’t stopped smiling but I wanted to capture my initial thoughts before I go to bed.
I got to the home of my gracious hosts, Tom and Betty Christian; the direct descendants of Fletcher Christian, the original Bounty mutineer at about 9:30pm. They made me dinner, we chatted briefly then the power goes off at 10pm every night.
They have battery-powered lights in my room and bathroom so I was able to take a cold shower. I was so thrilled after being on that hot boat for the last 2+ days. It feels so good to be clean and cooled off finally. Now laying here in their guest room, and listening to the crickets outside; looking out the window and seeing the darkest night sky I’ve ever seen with the most stars; I still cannot believe where I am. I am on Pitcairn Island. Wow. I can’t wait to go exploring in the morning!
NOTE I am obviously a few days behind if you’ve been following my trip on Facebook or Twitter and I will be posting several stories about my Pitcairn trip. This was my initial feelings on arrival that I wanted to capture. This is the first time I’ve had a chance to be online where I could upload pictures in 8 days. I am back in the US tomorrow and will be posting more soon. Also look for pictures on Facebook to come!
I love getting your feed when it pops up. Pitcairn sounds like an amazing place, I cannot wait to read more and see pictures.
Awww thanks…There will be more and will post some on Facebook soon
Wow, goodonya for actually getting to Pitcairn
Gracias!
Thanks for sharing, seems really neat
Twas
Sounds truly amazing. I just googled the island and it looks even cooler. Hope you had fun!
It was spectacular, thanks!
You just made me want to go to Pitcairn Island!
Nothing to it but to do it!
Sounds like an amazing entrance to a special place. If you can, try and add a photo next time of the SV Xplore, it would be cool to see what the yacht you took there and back looks like.
Patience amigo…I’ve already written a post about the boat and have a ton of pics and they will be up when I post it but likely first on Facebook when I get a chance
51 hours on a boat on open ocean! That sounds terrible!
It was a good boat but it was nice to finally get off, I won’t lie! But I have seen much worse boats-trust me!
Sounds like a special place, looking forward to reading about the rest of the island and your time there. I agree that boat ride sounds difficult but I guess it is a means to an end.
Wow, you really captured your emotions…good for you. I hope the rest of the trip lived up to the hype the landing caused.
Thanks Kristen and yes it did. I will post my article on Pitcairn either tomorrow or Friday.
I know how difficult it is to get to Pitcairn. My cousin went there a few years ago. Only reason I have heard of it. He talks about it all the time like it was a weird paradise. What do you think?
Your cousin went to Pitcairn? That’s awesome, only a handful of people have ever visited that don’t have ties to the island…it was a paradise but I will let my article on Pitcairn speak for me when I post it, but I will tell you that I loved it.
Thank you! You really found the right words to describe Pitcairn! It’s an amazing island! I love it!!!
Enjoy your last few days there! I am jealous!
Awesome you made it there… hadn’t heard of that boat before but it looks like a great option to get there, esp. since you got to spend a few days there vs a few hrs. This past weekend at the Texas meeting I met a woman who has been to 250+ TCC places, but she hadn’t been to Pitcairn yet.
Ya Jordan, definitely the best option and reasonably priced for what it is…great boat and captain…will post more about the boat and Pitcairn in next day or two
Hello friends,
I have just finished reading all posts. I can see that there are many people who are interested to visit this beautiful island.
I visited Pitcairn Island about 2 years ago. I spent my last saved money to do it and I do not regret it.
Residents are very friendly they serve very good food and look after their tourists.
I ate there the best sushi in my life when Shawn caught a yellow fin tuna and 2 hours later we were eating it during a family BBQ. And Steve has prepared a special sauce for it.
The best passion fruit and avocado I tested on Pitcairn Island and many other thing.
Their honey is out of this word. My grand father in Europe was a bee keeper and I buy honey in Sydney directly from bee keepers but the honey from Pitcairn Island is the best. Actually the queen of England UK buy their honey too. Their honey has unusual test, it is so nice.
Some people ask how to get there:
I live in Sydney Australia so from Sydney I had to fly to New Zealand then to Tahiti and from Tahiti to Mangareva which is the closest air port for connection to Pitcairn.
There are 2 fights per week to Mangareva which coincide with the pick up and drop off to Pitcairn by boat Claymore 2.
This boat is old but service is good. It is a cargo – passenger boat. The food was good.
When I arrived back on Mangareva Island from Pitcairn I did not fly back to Tahiti the same day. I stayed on this island for another 4 days until the next flight to Tahiti. I stayed at a nice place in a bungalow at water front. This family provides good service and accommodation it is called Pension Maro\’i,
I visited also a pearl farm where the most beautiful and the best black pearls in the world come from.
On the way back to Australia I visited also an island in French Polynesia called Rapa. This is even more remote and isolated island than Pitcairn. If you are a real adventurer I recommend to visit this island.
On Pitcairn Island you can stay 4 or 11 days or 18 days because there is more frequent transport but to get to Rapa Island is more difficult. A boat from the nearest air port (Tubuai Island) visits this island once every 2 months.
But believe me, it is worth visiting this island. By the way – there are no hotels and no official accommodation for tourists. You will have to arrange your own accommodation with local residents.
I did on the way there on the boat and this is the best way to learn their culture. Very interesting.
Not many people speak English on this island so French language will come handy. Thou I managed OK.
When I arrived on this island I ate lobsters for breakfast. 🙂
The best thing that I have observed is that those people live without STRESS. Money does not mean for them anything. Not much anyway.
I have visited also other islands in French Polynesia that look like paradise.
– Raivavae – even more beautiful than (boring) Bora Bora.
– Tubuai Island – Bounty boat also tried to find a home there before they settled on Pitcairn Island.
If anyone would like more information regarding some of those islands you can contact me at this email address: [email protected]
Best regards to all who visited Pitcairn and to all that are going to visit Pitcairn.
John
Hello.
What is the best season to visit Pitcairn?
William