We were heading to the most remote inhabited island in the world. Four days sail from the nearest mainland, Tristan da Cunha is one of the last outposts of the British Empire. Stranded alone in the midst of the South Atlantic, the Tristan archipelago lies midway between Africa and America, 2 800 kilometres from the Cape of Good Hope and 3 950 kilometres from the nearest landfall in Argentina.
For many passengers aboard Le Lyrial, our Ponant expedition ship, Tristan da Cunha was the Holy Grail on their world traveller’s bucket-list. None of the crew, passengers or expedition leaders had ever visited Tristan before. Captain Remi Genevaz, our experienced Antarctic navigator, knew he was in big trouble if the notorious big swells of the roaring
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After four days at sea from South Georgia, Tristan materialised like an apparition in the great infinity of the Atlantic. We were all out on deck the day we arrived, anchoring off Edinburgh of the Seven Seas, the isolated settlement which lives in the shadow of the mighty volcano. Every documentary gives this island a new sobriquet - “an ocean away from anywhere”, “the forgotten island”, “a step out of time” and “further than the furthest thing” (Zinnie Harris’ award-winning 2002 play about Tristan).
But the swell at high tide was way too big. We watched the drenched crew do a test run and ride the gauntlet through the rocky entrance of the harbour. The captain informed us that the island authorities had refused permission for us to disembark by zodiac until the sea subsided. A wet chief islander and customs officers came on board to stamp an albatross and a volcano in our passports. The post office staff came aboard to sell stamps, postcards and handcrafts to the waiting
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While we waited for the swell to subside, Le Lyrial circumnavigated the steep circular volcanic island of 96 square kilometres to see curious local landmarks like Deadman’s Bay, “Pigbite”, “The place where the goat fell off the cliff” and “The minister lost his things”! Shrouded in cloud, the volcano’s cone, St Mary’s Peak, towers 2 060 metres above a brooding island with sheer black cliffs that fall into the sea. Covered in ferns, lichen, moss and tussock grass, the slopes are green and
The island is about 4 square miles and is today a place for tourism in the great lakes. Many thousands of years ago though this was a little piece of land with bluffs reaching high above its surroundings and was a merely a small piece of land surrounded by water. It was because of these bluffs the appearance of the island resembled a turtle and led to it being named “The Great Turtle” (Piljac, 1998). Currently the island reaches several hundred feet above the lake and it’s because of this geography that many nations saw this as a perfect military post and would be used over and over again throughout its history as such.
Michael Ondaatje describes a relative paradise when writing about the first week of the voyage, but at t...
“The Raft of the Medusa”, by Theodore Gericault, 1819, was inspired by the catastrophic wreck of the French frigate, The Medusa, on July 2, 1816, off the west coast of Africa, during a voyage to Senagal. The ship ran aground on the Arguin Reef, in calm seas. In an attempt to preserve the lives of 400 passengers aboard, the crew, soldiers, sailors and passengers built a raft, manned the lifeboats and the raft, and abandoned the Medusa. What followed was a most harrowing experience that would challenge the soul and condemn the government of a world power.
H.G. Wells, The Island of Dr. Moreau, copyright 1996 by Dover Publications, Inc., USA [This is a reprint of the London 1896 edition.]
Kincaid begins by pointing out to “you,” a tourist what is missing from Antigua in order to first make clear the reality that knowledge is not existent, valued, or accessible in Antigua. She illustrates “your” arrival, when she notes, “You are a tourist and you have not yet seen a school in Antigua, you have not yet seen the hospital in Antigua, you have not yet seen a public monument in Antigua.” But she abruptly interrupts this thought and continues in sarcastic and marked nonchalance, “what a beautiful island Antigua is—more beautiful than any of the other islands you have seen.” (3) Here, Kincaid demonstrates that knowledge is severely lacking or nonexistent in the land of Antigua by providing examples of physical manifestations of a well educated society that are not present. Knowledge is attained by learning information, data, and facts made available to children through education in schools. Knowledgeable people—educated children who grow up to be educated adults who have completed to several ambitious years of extra...
In 1914, a great leader began a great expedition, unbeknownst to him that instead of being known as great explorers, they would be known as some of the greatest survivors. This man was Sir Ernest Shackelton and he was determined to be the first to cross the Antarctic. Little did he know, his biggest challenge would end up being his ability to lead his team to survival. He also had no idea that their tale of strength, determination, and courage to survive would influence people well into the 21st century, and the book detailing their stories would be used as a model of leadership. As our group read this book, it was evident that Shackleton was a truly motivated and successful leader as we have come to understand him to be.
In September of 1578, the fleet, now three ships, sailed through the deadly Strait of Magellan with speed and ease, only to emerge into terrific Pacific storms. For two months the ships were in mortal danger, unable to sail clear of the weather or to stay clear of the coast. The ships were scattered, and the smallest, the Marigold, went down with all hands. The Elizabeth found herself back in the strait and turned tail for England, where she arrived safely but in disgrace. Meanwhile, the Golden Hind had been blown far to the south, where Drake discovered - perhaps - that there was open water below the South American continent.
“Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife—Fire Island has been a special place for diverse plants, animals and people for centuries”
The Commander of the division to which I belonged, as soon as soon as we were on board the ship, appointed me to boatswain, and ordered me to go to the captain and demand of him the keys to the hatches and a dozen candles. I made the demand accordingly, and the captain promptly replied, and delivered the articles; but requested me at the same time to do no damage to the ship or the rigging. We then were ordered to ...
Set in St. Lucia, Walcott’s Omeros reveals an island possessing a rich past. St. Lucia, a former colony, has a history of ‘pagan’ religion and tradition, a different language, and an economic background based namely on fishing. Locals must try to reconcile their heritage prior to colonization, the influences of colonization, and how to create a new culture from the ashes of the others (Hogan 17).
Walking along the nature trail on the island that is surrounded by beautiful green plants and palm trees I came across stingray cove, a place where you can swim with the stingrays. Enjoying the sights of the stingrays I spot a colossal starfish by a rock in the water. I came across the lagoon that I could have ridden jet skis in or kayaked, but couldn’t get to close due to the plants and rocks. Making my way back towards the beach I watch as people ride horses in the water. Starting to smell something great I realized that it was time for a bohemian meal. While enjoying a delicious meal, a band was playing some relaxing reggae. Quickly my time at Half Moon Cay came to an end, I was not ready to leave the tropical paradise. I cannot wait to take another cruise just to come back and relax. Half Moon Cay also known as Little San Salvador Island with only 2 percent of the island begin developed, is an international bird sanctuary and natural preserve. With that being said the only way to visit is by cruise ship. Whether just wanting to relax on the beautiful beach, explore the island, or do excursions like snorkeling Half Moon Cay, Bahamas is a place I look forward to visiting
Every year thousands of tourists visit the islands of Antigua, they come from all over the world to drain their sorrows of reality by ridding their pockets of the cash they strive to work so hard for. Although Antigua seems to be filled with relaxation, sunshine and rainbows, and devoid of anything that could ruin somebody’s week, unfortunately, Antigua is quite the opposite of that of what we imagine. Author Jamaica Kincaid argues this false reality tourists imagine about the island, by addressing many issues she witnessed while growing up in Antigua.
Novak, Maximillian, and George R. Guffey, eds. The Tempest, or The Enchanted Island. Works of John Dryden vol. X. Berkeley: U of California P, 1970. 1-103.
The three volcanoes represent our problems. The active volcano is our current problems; the extinct, our past trials, and the dormant, the problems that we don't know if they are through or there are still to come. But as the rain stops pouring down, rainbow starts to form. Joy and pleasure must be earned-- not given or received -- like the joy the water from well gives to the little prince and the pilot. Its sweetness comes from the journey under the stars and the work of the pilot's arms making the pulley sing.
We got into our lines, behind groups of excited families and happy little old men and women. As the line ascended up the ramp onto this enormous water vessel, pictures were taken of every group of passengers. Smile, laugh and look happy! Riiight. As a matter of fact, I was pretty anxious. I'd never been on a boat like this, and especially not for a whole week.