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Thursday, 25 December, Pitcairn Island We woke up early to watch the approach to Pitcairn Island. It is famous for being the island to which the mutineers of Mutiny on the Bounty fame escaped. It has 50 current residents, almost all of whom are descendants of the mutineers and the Tahitian women they took to the island with them. There is only one place to land, and it is so small and dangerous that only the islanders can land there in their longboats. We watched as they came to the ship, over half the islands population in one longboat, along with items that they'd have for sale. We went to the lounge where they had things for sale and bought postcards and stamps, which Gail addressed 15 friends and family members. The cards were taken back to Pitcairn where they'll go out on the next mail ship, probably in March. The ship will take them on a two week trip to New Zealand, and eventually they'll make their way back to the USA. We also bought a couple of tshirts, a hat, a book and a very nice hand carved walking stick for Gail. I was particularly pleased to be able to meet Tom Christian, now 73 years old, and just back from New Zealand, where he got a pacemaker installed. He is ham radio VP6TC, and we talked on the radio a number of times back in the late 50s and early 60s. Of course he has talked to tens of thousands of hams, so didn't remember me, but it was still neat. We then went to a presentation that a couple of the Pitcairners gave for 45 minutes, updating people on the life on the island. We watched the Pitcairners load their unsold merchandise back on to the longboat, along with some provisions that they purchased from or bartered for with the ship. We watched them head back to the island as we pulled away and headed to Easter Island. We went to Christmas Mass after lunch and then played bridge, coming in last again. The evening was the second formal dinner, and it was a festive evening for all. Giuseppe, our waiter, who has worked on 40 years on cruise ships and is retiring after this trip, sang to us, which was very nice. Of course he sang in Italian, but it was still neat. What a wonderful Christmas Day. Back to itinerary (trip home page)
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