National Geographic 'Pristine Seas' team visits the settlement
Report and photos from Kelly Burns
After a busy three weeks for all the National Geographic and RSPB team on the SVS Grenville, Friday 3rd February 2017 was a great day for all of the people onboard to come ashore to enjoy loads of fun activities.
The day was parted in to two as there was a crew swap around 13.30pm. There was a golf match in the morning hosted by Jody Squibb. At the same time there was a walk to the 1961 Volcano with tour guide Janine Lavarello. The volcano tour ended dropping into the Traditional Thatched house where there was a tour led by curator Shirley Squibb and live manikin Natalie Swain. There was also a tour of the fish factory.
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| Team members visit Volcanic Park & the 1961 Volcano. |
At around 11.30am the film crew interviewed one of our islanders about the 1961 volcanic eruption. It was a fantastic interview between Harold Green and Paul Rose about the events that day all those years ago.
Also luckily the weather was pleasant enough for guides Simons Glass and Riaan Repetto to take a few people to Queens Mary's Peak.
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| Natalie Swain in traditonal Tristan costume at the Thatched House Museum. |
Returning down the mountain from a guided hike to Queen Mary's Peak. |
There was another golf match that afternoon for those who couldn't make it in the morning, and many enjoyed lots of delicious sandwiches and cakes at Café da Cunha.
Later that afternoon there was a presentation at the 'Prince Philip Hall' for the whole island displaying some of the research that has taken place over the past weeks. Also a brilliant short film was put together of some of the footage that they had captured. It was truly remarkable. The Administrator and Chief islander showed their gratitude to the teams effort and presented them with a few island gifts. Everyone also enjoyed refreshments and snacks before having a wonderful time at the Dance.
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| Adminstrator Sean Burns presents a model Tristan longboat to expedition leader Paul Rose. | Paul Rose presents an album of old Tristan photos taken in the early 1900’s to Chief Islander Ian Lavarello. |
Saturday, some of the team and crew came ashore for some final shopping before heading over the Residency for a amazing Buffet. Also attending were Councillors and the Conservation and Fisheries Departments. Afterwards, the team all headed back to the Grenville to ensure their departure back to Cape Town at around 17.00pm.
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| Kenyan crew of the SVS Grenville with Administrator Sean Burns and his wife Marina. | Team members Alexandra Verville (centre) and Jonathan Hall (right) at the Adminstrator's reception. |
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| The expedition team and crew with Island Councillors and staff of the Conservation and Fisheries Departments. | |
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| A match at the Tristan Golf Club. | SVS Grenville departing for Cape Town. |
Administrator Sean Burns' Remarks on the Visit
The National Geographic/RSPB visit was a huge success and I want to thank everyone involved. This includes those from Conservation and Fisheries on the vessel, those who acted as guides, those involved in all of the administration, harbour, bookings, finance, tourism and those who helped with the reception: both at the Prince Philip Hall and the Residency. It was also great to see the science teams with the children and teachers at the school. And thanks to those of you who came to the receptions to engage with the teams. That makes a real difference and helps them feel welcome.
As you know they have left with a really positive image of the island and islanders, That is down to you and it is a good thing for Tristan, We now have some new friends to help take us forward to 2020 and our vision to declare some form of Marine Protected Area/Reserve to ensure that the Tristan environment is preserved for generations to come and managed the way Tristanians want to manage it.