Adamstown, Pitcairn

One island is more beautiful than the other. It is hot and humid on Pitcairn (the main island of the Pitcairn Islands), but it is stunning. Since we have a small boat and small landing crafts (Zodiacs), we could land smoothly unlike larger ships.

The mayor first gave us an introduction to the island. Currently, there are 42 people living on Pitcairn. There are only two children, who attend school in New Zealand, and the mayor estimates the average age to be just over 60. Therefore, younger newcomers are warmly welcome.

Until a few years ago, a supply ship came only every few months, but now one arrives every three months. This includes restocking the shelves in the meanwhile empty store. Thanks to solar energy, the island is becoming increasingly self-sufficient. They primarily collect water from the rooftops of houses and store it in large cisterns, in addition, they have a small seawater desalination plant. Furthermore, they have a small health station, a home for the elderly, a school (without children), and a police station.

In 1838, the Pitcairn Islands became part of the British overseas territories and received a constitution. As the first democratic country in the world, they also introduced women's suffrage.

The islanders celebrate small festivals on every occasion. However, it is not the case that they can sit back and relax. They must maintain the infrastructure (water, electricity, roads, public and private buildings, communication systems, etc.) all by themselves. There is no electrician or painting business, no carpentry or construction companies. Everyone must contribute. As the population declines and ages, agricultural production is somewhat neglected. However, the island is very fertile, and everything actually grows there. Agricultural cultivation takes place on small plots, which are roughly cleared like in the Amazon rainforest, in the forest or bushland.

We were able to visit a natural pool by the sea and swim in it at first. Then we could further explore the island, for example, by hiking up the highest mountain, which is over 300m high. Despite the heat, strong sun, and high humidity, and the ups and downs, we still got a good workout.

We were on the island during the day, and there are not many birds to be seen. Around the pool, there were thousands of crabs. Additionally, we saw a coconut crab (which actually eats coconuts), a Polynesian rat, and lizards. Unfortunately, we missed the one Galapagos tortoise that lives on the island. Otherwise, there are no mammals, so no goats, cows, horses, etc.