Well, we have now seen pretty much everything on the island and we are starting on our second circuit of the sites.
Seeing that the shops were only open in the morning on Saturday, we took some time to buy a few more beers and another bottle of wine for pre-dinner drinks. We found a few more items on the supermarket shelves although they are still unpacking all the pallets that have come off the ship.
Our breakfast was at ‘The Olive’, one of the more impressive cafes in town. I bought a copy of the local weekly paper which described how the government have eased restrictions on self funded retirees moving to here. It also outlined how the government has set up a ‘Road Map’ for integration into the Australian Tax and welfare system. Representatives from the Australian government have been appointed and local people are very fearful of the implications of change.
The local photographer, Robin Nisbet has some fine photography on display and his exhibition in the building above the Norfolk Mall is excellent. He had a couple of photos that gave me an idea for some extra pictures that I had not taken.
Accordingly, we spent a little time pottering around the historical area taking some more photos.
The most exciting event of the day was to watch two RAAF Hercules aircraft, land at the airport, stay for a short time and then depart. That says something about the pace of life here.
We were back in town for a late lunch and then I spent the afternoon copying photos to my computer and editing them. We didn’t want to run out of activities before we leave for home on Monday.
WE had made a reservation at a restaurant four or five kilometres away because they specialised in a variety of cattle that bare only grown on the island. I guess that they had a dozen, or so guests, but would you believe that by 7.00 pm, they had sold out of their specialty dish! WE were back at our resort by 8.30 pm and settled in to another exciting night of watching TV.
Our day on Sunday started with a ½ day tour that came as a complimentary addition tom the dinner that we had on Thursday night in the church hall. We have really seen everything on the island, but it filled in a few hours and we learnt a few new things. The driver / guide was Margaret Christian (wife of one of the descendants of the original Pitcairners. She was a good sales woman as she has signed me up for a morning tour that she is conducting tomorrow to photograph birds.
We had a very salubrious lunch for Mother’s Day at one of the cafes that was open in town. We were attracted by the fact that it was licensed, so lunch consisted of two glasses of white wine and a toasted ham and cheese sandwich. We found three more roads to the south of the airport that e had not yet driven on and after following them all to dead ends, we are convinced that we have now driven on every road on the island (all 178kms of them).
The fishermen have now been able to get out in their boats so we plan to eat at the Bowling Club tonight at the Sunday night fish fry.
Hi Bruce, sounds like you’ve stuck to the “beaten tourist track” on your visit to Norfolk Island. I first visited Norfolk Island as an 18 year old and loved it. Emily Bay is the most beautiful beach I have visited in my world travels, rivalled only by Anakena Beach on Easter Island. The 5 million star skies seen because of the lack of street lighting is something to behold. I have to agree the foodie experiences at most of the islands restaurants and cafe’s is reasonably priced and delicious fresh flavours. If you love birds and hiking, a trip to Philip Island is well worth the dollars spent. Some great coastal walks in the National Park, but also at 100acres and a few secret spots (not altogether “safe” unless with a local guide). The crystal clear ocean makes for great swimming and snorkelling in nature’s own swimming pool, the lagoon running from Lone Pine to Munna’s. I also enjoyed the shopping, the best shoes for great prices, to name one. There were an inordinate number of artists, writers and musicians hiding out on Norfolk Island and the Sunday markets are usually the hub of activity on a Sunday on Norfolk. I think the best of all my experiences was to ask the locals (friendly bunch of people) what their recommendations were….they know their homeland best, and none of the recommendations were far from the mark. A game of golf at the Norfolk Island Golf Club and its World Heritage location alongside the sea was memorable, as was the experience of going fishing (plenty of fish caught and launching the boat by crane was unique). Your blog photos of Norfolk are a bit dark and I don’t think you’ve really exposed the best of it’s landscape, it’s a photographers dream there.
Louise,
Lousie,
We have actually done a lot of the things that you wrote about. Using local people as a resource for information is a ‘no brainer’ for any one who has travelled.
My blog comments were generally not directed to the lack of opportunities for activities on Norfolk . These are really only limited by the things we enjoy doing. I have photographed, walked, eaten and driven extensively around the island.
Our stay of seven days was probably a little too long for us – we really should have planned just a five day trip to here.
I’m not sure what you mean about my photos being dark. On my computer they look OK.
Good morning Bruce, I gather that you have just left our shores and would like to thank you for a highly entertaining blog. Sometimes we tend to forget how others view us and get a bit precious and defensive about what might be considered ‘constructive criticism’ or at the very least ‘interested observations’.
The shortages you experienced on your short stay certainly reaffirms our status as an isolated small island, trying hard at self sustainability. We are not perfect however, (how boring would that be?) and the suggestions with regards to upgrading and enhancing of our product and services to target Visitors like yourselves are totally valid and fortunately with some of us, already under way as a planned work in progress.
Really enjoyed the relaxed way you chose to spend your holiday covering the places and activities that were of interest to you and most of all – compliments on your Photography, obviously talented and shows some of our scenery at their best.
All the best,
Astrawan
Norfolk Island
Here’s the results of the Public Forum Feedback on Tourism on Norfolk Island held in Feb. Maybe your input is still welcome.
http://bit.ly/KKsGFy