Bounty Day

Bounty Day is Norfolk Island’s special day to remember the arrival of the Pitcairn Island people in 1856. It is naturally a public holiday. All the families dress as their ancestors did and meet at the pier.  A re-enactment  of the arrival takes place where  a boat is launched with representatives of each family . It lands and they are greeted by the administrator of the Island . Today the wind was so strong  , the boat struggled to turn and return to the pier. We wondered  if they were going to be circling all day but they made it, complete with an errant hat that had decided to escape.

All the families then walk to the cenotaph to lay a wreath for each family. From here they walk along the length of Quality Row to the cemetery. Some complain it is getting longer every year. Flowers are laid , families remembered and the fun begins……food, chatting to visiting family and the children (at last) are allowed to roll down the grass of Government Hill. This is really a once a year event for them. It is certainly a time for all the descendants to touch base. Us outsiders are not included but can watch the parade, which we did.

No retail therapy today. We explored Bumboras beach and the Crystal pools. Access to the pools is down a steep cliff with warning signs. I know you wanted to go down hanging off that rope but they did warn against it with high winds. Good that you read and obeyed the signs.