Our crossing of the Pacific towards Easter Island had been uneventful; the seas had been relatively calm, however, as is often the case, a long high swell had us pitching to the ‘motion of the ocean’. So it was, early on Sunday morning we made our approach in darkness down the west side of the island, Hanga Roa being our destination. Here lies the only ‘safe’ (I use the term loosely) harbour on the island, one to which we could operate our tender service. The harbour approach is through a reef and needs the utmost care when approaching. My video will give you an inkling of the approach to the harbour, a tender leaving and one entering.
The wind was slight, however that swell was not going to give up, as a consequence the ship was constantly under its effect and movement of the tender alongside our tender platform was more than one would desire. A long and laborious embarkation took place, each guest having to be assisted in the boarding by ‘helpers’ assigned to this task, ensuring that when they boarded they always had ‘hands on them’. I moved to a more northerly location in an effort to lose the swell, it assisted slightly however there was no getting completely out of it.
The Amsterdam ‘hovering’ off Tahai; one of the Moai in the foreground, it look calm, I assure you it isn’t!!
At one point I contemplated cancelling, but this is a “Bucket List” call, anticipation had been high for days and to do so would have a disappointment to everyone on board. We ‘hovered’ on our joystick for the entire call; there is an anchorage, it was occupied by 2 small cargo ships and besides, I prefer to be ‘untethered’ in such circumstances. Karen and Hazel managed to get ashore and as a result many of the photographs are not mine; me? 14 hours on the Bridge! 😯
The island is of course famous for its Moai, monolithic figures carved by the Rapa Nui people. They represent their ancestors are are revered by the Islanders. Many moai are near the quarry, where they were carved and hundreds were transported and set up on stone platforms (Ahu) around the island. All-in-all there are approximately 870 of them.
Here are K’s contributions.
Ahu Tongariki
Tongariki
Hazel and Karen in the foreground
Tongariki from seaward
Near the quarry
Tahai
I always have my camera with me, however the subject matter is not quite as ‘exciting’ as those ashore, so here are some of mine; first, a ‘panorama’ video of the island from the ship; starting looking south towards Hanga Roa and then north, this is the west coast. Full screen on your media player? Click on the ‘spot’ rectangle, bottom right….
The view of Tahai from the ship
Tahai and Moai, (they all face inland)
A beautiful sunrise as we make our approach
A tender going ashore
A beautiful model of the USCG vessel “Eagle”, made by one of our guests and intended as my birthday present!
Next? Pitcairn Island, famous for the mutiny on the ‘Bounty’ and the subsequent landing of the mutineers on the island. We arrive there on Wednesday, no ‘landing’ for guests, there is no place to tender and the cliffs too steep. Instead the islanders will board, give a presentation and, (of course), bring some souvenirs to purchase!
I love reading your blog. We did the World in 2011 and again in 2013 with you. We were lucky to get ashore, even though the window in the lifeboat fell in on our return to the ship. Getting a little wet was still worth it to get to the Island. I know the passengers must have had a great day!
I’m enjoying your trip, albeit vicariously! I sailed with you in 2013 and 2016 and how I remember the visit to Easter Island in 2013, which was high on my bucket list. I was scheduled for the next tender around 1 pm when you announced that because a tender had been damaged and the danger of getting everyone back safely, you were cancelling all tenders. I shed a few tears and had to comfort myself with the views obtained from the ship. I was saddened, but I always took comfort in knowing that you were at the helm!
Verna:
That was the world cruise that my wife Susan and I were on. We were so excited about Easter Island and that we were on the morning tours , but we were on THAT TENDER . What an experience.
We sailed again in 2015 and now look forward to 2020 and the itinerary that we did in 2012.
I am sure if we traded pictures we would recognize each other!
Never thought I’d get even this close to Easter Island. On one of our trips with you, we were in the south pacific, but never this close to Easter Is. These are remarkable photos both from you and from the ladies. Perhaps you can get some photos of the on -ship visitors from Pitcairn. It would be good to see a view of the island and of its inhabitants both coming aboard and their presentation. Thanks again for taking your fans along with you virtually.
Thanks to Karen for the fabulous photos Moai! Like a previous reader, this is as close as I will ever be to Easter Island. One look at the tender bobbing in those waves would me thinking, “No, I don’t need to go ashore that badly!”
Speaking of the tenders, your photos of those impressive-looking new boats has me curious, has the Amsterdam had a re-fit recently? I have seen the recent re-fits done on the Westerdam and Volendam, and was most impressed, so I am wondering if the Amsterdam has had anything similar. I have very fond memories of sailing on the Amsterdam back in 2005 and 2006 when she was under the command of Captain Van Zaane.
Yes Marjorie, she had a refit last year, the interior looks very glamorous and that’s when we got the new tenders!
Thank you, Captain, for your answer to my question about a re-fit on the Amsterdam.
I hope that you will have time at some point on this voyage to post a few photos of the new design; I would love to see what the ship looks like now!
Yup. Easter Island is high on my bucket list too.
Thanks, Captain Jonathan for all you and the entire crew did in giving this opportunity to visit Easter Island. Your efforts, patience, skill n gray hair gave many of us the chance to visit this special place after a previously aborted stop in 2013.
The loading n unloading of tenders was an example of the safety training as they did hands on for each person until they were on n off the tender. Kudos to you and the entire crew!!
Hi Jonathan! Well a happy day on Easter Island. Sounds like a more than a few wild rides. In other guest’s posts I read many boasts on Captain and crew on the expert handling of the ship and the tenders. Another great write up and super video and Karen snapped super photos!
Happy Birthday? Well early or belated wishes. Nice gift.
Bit of an early birthday present!
We are still telling stories of Easter Island and how well you handled a VERY difficult day during the 2012 World Cruise. Not only did we enjoy the Island, we very much appreciated an amazing job done by the crew. After that adventure, I am surprised you would even attempt it again. In commemoration, we now have a garden Moai in our front entry and think of that day often. Thank you for a wonderful cruise.
Hi Captain Jonathan,
My wife and I truly enjoyed your videos/photos of Easter Island. Thank you for posting them. I landed the first fixed wing aircraft (C-130) on Island in April 1967. The runway was under construction and with 6000 feet of clay. We thoroughly enjoyed sailing with you on the 2018 World Cruise. We wish you all fair winds and following seas!
such great memories of our world cruise and Easter Island? we had that “almost” with the wave shattering the windshields and flooding the tender with water so that we had to return to the island and wait! But it was so well worth it. Definitely the bucket list stop .. Then of course we continued to Pitcairn island but the Oceania Cruise ship had brought flu to the islanders who came aboard on their visit so they were not going to come on board the Amsterdam. What a shame as we all wanted to meet them and purchase their STAMPS!!
Oh well, something to look forward to for another world cruise wth my favorite captain and his wonderful wife!
waiting for the reply from Mr Shilling , the G.M at St Regis Bora Bora for your day there.
Jeffrey
Wow….that tender ride looks a bit challenging. So wonderful for the passengers to have you for their Captain at this bucket list port. And for you to have the expertise and just plain guts to see they got ashore. It’s got to be a tough decision with a lot of responsibility and I admire you for that. Last year’s World we got off in Rarotonga, thanks to you. It’s not always the case! Thanks for the photos, both your’s and Karen’s. Enjoy Pitcairn…..I’ve longed to go there forever. Closest I ever got was talking to them on the HAM radio when I was cruising in my own boat. Look forward to your posts. Aloha, Gayle Hughes
This was such a wonderful post! LOVED the videos. I am sorry you could get off the ship. Can’t wait to visit there on the 2020 WC!
This is as close as I will get to Easter Island. Thanks for the pictures. Enjoying your blog. Look forward to it each day.
As always! Awesome pics, videos and comments! Thanks Captain! Please also pass along Thanks to Karen and Hazel!
Looking forward to your next port of call!