Easter Island to Pitcairn Island

After two wonderful days at sea we arrived at the Pitcairn Islands.

In 1790, the mutineers of the Bounty (think “Mutiny on the Bounty”) arrived on Pitcairn island, an island that is only 1 mile wide by 2 miles long.  The group consisted of Fletcher Christian and eight other mutineers from the Bounty. The islanders (233 in 1937 yet only 42 today) have had quite a history, surviving on an island that had little contact with the outside world.  It is a part of the British Empire which continues to provide financial support.  They also offer 10 acres of land free to anyone who wants to settle on the island.  This offer has been in place for years but so far nobody has taken it.  The island is almost totally dependent on cargo ships that come quarterly from New Zealand with supplies.  

While it rarely makes the news, in early 2000 it made it for the wrong reason.  A visitor’s 11 year old daughter was molested and an investigation by England of their Colony ensued. The investigation revealed a deep history of sexual abuse of girls before the age of 12 and several men were charged and convicted. Because of their history, the islanders today are divided on the issue and the convictions. 

As there is no port and no facilities to handle cruise ship visitors, we anchored off Pitcairn today and many of the residents came aboard to provide a lecture on life on the island and to sell their crafts. They also barter with the roughly 10 cruise ships that come every year. They provide fresh fish and in return take toilet paper and other necessities as payment. 


We are left with two, somewhat conflicted observations after coming to Pitcairn. Most anthropologists agree because of the isolation and difficulties it creates, the island will not be inhabited in 50 years. The islanders do not want to admit this and work extremely hard to maintain their way of life.  Yesterday, many of the residents risked life and limb due to dangerous choppy seas just to get on-board our ship to sell their goods and barter to ensure that they have supplies.  For this, they deserve admiration.  On the other hand, many of them were quick to fill their pockets and bags with ship-board food and supplies while the staff was not looking.  
It is extremely difficult and very expensive for people to visit Pitcairn.  To get there one has to fly from Tahiti to Mangareva ($1000 round trip airfare),  book a cabin from there on a cargo ship that sails four times a year to Pitcairn with supplies ($3600 round trip) and then spend the approximately $150 a day per person to actually stay on the island.
Another interesting item about Pitcairn is that it is actually three islands.  One of the other islands, Henderson, used to be inhabited but it became too difficult to sustain so the inhabitants either moved to Pitcairn or left.  Henderson had beautiful beaches which have now become collecting points for plastic bottles and trash from all over this part of the Pacific due to the current.