Visit of the Norwegian Yacht Fryd
Report from Kelly Green, with additional photos from Jarl Spandow and Philip Kendall
On Wednesday, 6th November 2024, the Norwegian yacht Fryd arrived near the island of Tristan da Cunha, during an adventurous passage from Salvador, Brazil, to Cape Town, South Africa. After 16 days at sea, the crew of the Fryd caught sight of the island on the horizon, describing the first glimpse of Tristan as "a massive pyramid in the middle of the ocean" - a fitting image for one of the most isolated islands in the world.
Tristan: "A massive pyramid in the middle of the ocean". Photo: Jarl Spandow
By 10:00 a.m., Fryd - the first yacht of the new season - was safely anchored off Tristan's coast. The crew secured all the necessary permissions to land and were eager to explore, planning to make their way ashore in a small inflatable boat. However, a mechanical issue with their craft delayed their plans, and they decided to wait until the following day, when weather conditions were also expected to improve. The island's friendly police service arranged to pick them up in one of Tristan's own small boats, ensuring their visit could go smoothly despite the hiccup.
Fryd at anchor off Calshot harbour
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On Thursday, November 7th, the crew of Fryd came ashore early, met by the island's welcoming team, including Leon and Connie, a local father and son duo. Coincidentally, the two visitors were also a father and son team (Jarl & Max Spandow), a great shared connection. The crew enjoyed a guided introduction from the Head of Tourism, starting with essential immigration formalities, and then headed off to refill their fuel supplies. They had been uncertain if refuelling on Tristan would be possible, and the success of this arrangement enabled them to make the stop as planned. Otherwise they would have had to have taken a more southerly course. Following their clearances and refuelling, the crew took the opportunity to explore the island further. They visited the Tristan Post Office & Tourism Centre and Radio Shack, where they were greeted by Andy, the island's friendly Radio Operator, with whom they had communicated prior to their visit and during their approach. He would also monitor their progress as they continued on to Cape Town. They then headed over to the Island Store to re-stock on some essentials. They took the opportunity to send postcards home, collect some of Tristan's renowned stamps, purchase some island woollen socks and other souvenirs. Afterwards, they took a glimpse into the longboat museum and then sat in the Centre's garden for some moments. |
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| Two fathers with their sons in the police RIB - yachtsmen Jarl & Max Spandow, and islanders Conrad & Leon Glass |
The crew then enjoyed the island's famously picturesque scenery, marvelling at the towering cliffs and lush greenery that make Tristan so unique. They were also able to meet lots of the island's cows with their new born calves.
For lunch, they indulged in Tristan's renowned rock lobster, freshly prepared and served at Café da Cunha. The Administrator Philip, made a special visit to meet the crew, sharing stories and insights about the island's distinctive way of life. As a warm farewell, the Administrator even gave the visitors some lobster tails to savour on their onward journey.
Administrator Philip Kendall with Max & Jarl Spandow in the Residency garden
By 1:00 pm, the crew of Fryd returned to their vessel, fully provisioned and carrying the fond memories of their brief yet meaningful visit to this rare island destination. From their conversations with locals to enjoying the pristine natural beauty, their stopover on Tristan da Cunha was a unique experience that few travellers get to enjoy.
A rainbow kept Fryd company at anchor off the settlement. Photo: Philip Kendall
As the Fryd set sail for Cape Town, it carried the spirit of Tristan's community and the unforgettable warmth of its people. The islanders were delighted to welcome such a friendly pair of visitors, and look forward hopefully to hosting them again in the future. Safe travels to the Fryd!