Page 106 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands

part of the island. Then all but a few people elected to return to their island home.

The stress of living in a city like London or even in other places in the UK was just too

much. They preferred the peace, quiet, unhurried pace, lack of crime, and sense of

community they enjoy on their own paradise.

Back in the little town center, we walked about looking at the houses and heading out

towards the cinder cone. However, we had insufficient time to try to climb up it for

some views of the coastline. We explored the schoolyard and saw the town’s

cemetery in addition to the church, rectory, and residence of the Governor of Tristan.

People responded with friendly greetings as we passed and we could see the relaxed

and unstressed attitude of the island folk.

We had been asked to be back at the quay at 12:20 and we were there. However, we

waited a little longer until the second to last Zodiac back to the Orion. We were seven

passengers and one driver and the swells had increased considerably since we left

the ship for the island. Getting the Zodiac properly positioned at the Marina deck

required three passes and even then getting off the rubber raft and back on deck was

not easy as the swells propelled the ship’s fantail up into the air high above the

Zodiac. That was scary indeed and we couldn’t figure out why the Zodiacs didn’t

throw us out the far side as the side tethered to the ship rose up with the Orion. But

thank goodness that did not happen and we got back on board safely.

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