Recently in this space I reported on the first half of a 35-day cruise enjoyed by me and my wife Juanita on Holland America Line’s Statendam.  We had departed San Diego in mid-November of 2005, headed to Auckland, New Zealand via Mexico, South America and various Polynesian Islands.  My last article was written from Tahiti.

Pitcairn Island as seen by Fletcher Christian on board the Bounty, 1789. And seen much later by Bert Ollivier, 2005.

At that time I promised to write more detail on some of the ports of call, especially Pitcairn Island.

I was surprised to learn from many passengers that Pitcairn was to be the highlight of the cruise and one of the main reasons they took the cruise.  What amazed me most was that no landing took place on Pitcairn nor did we even anchor there and tender in.

Instead of landing, our ship idled off-shore, fairly close to the island, from 9 am until 12:30 pm.  A longboat containing 37 Islanders, out of the total population of 50, boarded the Statendam at 9:30 am.  They were loaded down with baskets, back packs and oversized valises stuffed full of T-shirts, small and large carvings of the Bounty, and walking canes made and autographed by Pitcairners.  They even sold postage stamps at face value.  The Statendam crew arranged several long tables for the Islanders to set up shop with their wares.

Bounty Bay, Pitcairn Island. The burned out remains of the HMS Bounty are at the bottom of the bay, not far from the shore.

The resulting pandemonium was a sight to behold as passengers feverishly bought up almost all of the Islanders’ wares.  The frenzy was similar to a Boxing Day sale at home.  But a refreshing difference was the calm approach to their frantic customers by the Pitcairners.  They were patient, trusting and honest to a fault.

Just prior to our departure, the Islanders gathered by the Lido pool where, accompanied by some members of the ship’s orchestra, they serenaded the passengers with a sentimental farewell sing-song.  Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of pictures were taken that day of the sale activities plus the approach and departure from Pitcairn Island.

Next ports of call were Bora Bora in the Society Island Group, Pago Pago, American Samoa and Paihia, Bay of Islands in New Zealand, before our final destination of Auckland.

Aside from Pitcairn, most passengers agreed that Easter Island, a protectorate of Chile, and Pago Pago were the most interesting ports of call.  As a Rotarian, I was warmly welcomed to a Rotary luncheon in Pago Pago at the famous, or some say “infamous,” Sadie Thompson’s Inn.

The International Date Line was crossed between Pago Pago and Paihia.  This event prompted a midnight costume party in the Crows Nest lounge and judging from the heavy heads the next day, the party was a “timeless” success.

The passenger list of 1,161 consisted of an interesting cross section.  There were 675 Americans, 287 Canadians, 104 Australians, 24 New Zealanders, and 32 from the U.K. plus 39 from various other contries.

For further information on Holland America Cruises, visit www.hollandamerica.com.