Easter and Pitcairn Islands

After another few days at sea, we reached Easter Island. Really looking forward to being on land again but what trial to get there!The ship anchored at sea and we had to get on a tender (one of the lifeboats). We were going up and down like a see-saw and risked life and especially limb to get on the bally thing. We had to go through huge waves to get through quite a rocky entrance to the harbour.

We visited several sites where the statues (or correctly, Moai) are. We had already had a talk about the history of the Island and how the natives had pretty much exhausted the land resources - there are very few trees even now. So it was very dry and dusty and as the bus was "air-cooled" we were soon rubbing dust from our eyes. It was a fascinating day and this is just one of the pictures of the Moai. I had to pass on a walk to a quarry where the biggest of the Moai (about 70ft high) is still in the rock, which was a pity.

Then we had another couple of days at sea to reach Pitcairn Island. Here is our first sight of it.

We knew we would not be going ashore and that the Islanders would be coming on board. The sea was very high again and they had to try both sides of the ship before they could board. Here they are coming round, just under our balcony.

The day before we watched the Mel Gibson/Antony Hopkins film "Mutiny on the Bounty" and one of Fletcher Christian's descendants (she looked nothing like our Mel...) gave us a talk on what life is like on the island, There are only 50 people on the tiny, rocky island, most of whom are directly descended from the mutineers. What is really fascinating is that they speak perfect English - on this speck in the ocean! They were very friendly and we felt quite emotional when they sailed off.

So apart from one day on Easter Island, we have been on board every day. Luckily, the weather has improved significantly and we have been sitting out on the deck. I even got in the pool yesterday!

We are looking forward to having quite a bit of time on Tahiti, where we actually get to dock. We don't leave until the following morning so after our tour we are going back into town - for a long-awaited change of menu!

Au revoir, mes braves (we are in French Polynesia now), a bientot.........