Le Lyrial's March 2018 Cruise to Tristan
Report and photos from Shirley Squibb
The Le Lyrial arrived just after 8.00am on the 16th March 2018. Unfortunately there was a swell in the harbour so no passengers landed then, but Immigration, Post Office and Tourism staff boarded to sell philatelics and souvenirs. The weather was monitored throughout the day, but it was decided that although conditions had improved, it still wasn't good enough to land passengers. At 2.30pm the ship departed to circumnavigate the island with the Post Office and Tourism staff on board until her return later in the evening.
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| Team of islanders leaving the harbour in Le Lyrial's RIB. | Passengers observing activity on the island from afar. |
We had a successful day the next day with the le Lyrial, whose visit was short but eventful. Passengers started landing at approximately 7.00am, and started the settlement tour from the harbour. Following this was a tour of the 1961 Volcano from the Post and Tourism Centre, and also a round of golf. There were bus shuttles throughout the morning to the Potato Patches, where visitors were greeted by a guide stationed there. Some visitors also did trips by taxi. Mid-morning there was also a tour of St Mary's School. Throughout the morning there was lots of shopping for souvenirs and stamps, and also visitors enjoyed Café da Cunha's treats. Passengers started re-embarking at 12.00noon and the final boat was away at 12.30am. The ship departed shortly after, heading towards Nightingale and then on to Gough.
Hikers ready for the 1961 Volcano Tour.
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| Bus tours to the Potato Patches. | Happy New Zealanders. |
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| Practicing for golf in the Post Office and Tourism garden. | Passengers playing a golf match on the Tristan course. |
Le Lyrial ladies, happy to be ashore on Tristan.
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| The last RIB returns to Le Lyrial. | Passengers re-embarking at Le Lyrial's stern. |