Visit of the MS Bremen, Christmas 2019
Report and photos by Peter Millington
The German cruise ship MS Bremen paid a return visit to Tristan da Cunha on the 26th December 2019 - the first cruise ship of the 2019/20 season. The view from the island at daybreak was a breezy sea of white-capped waves, but by the time the Bremen dropped anchor off the settlement at 07:10, the wind had subsided, the sea had calmed and the sun had come out to give us perfect weather. Passengers started to disembark about 08:00 and assembled at the harbour for the first of the planned excursions.
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| MS Bremen from the harbour | |
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| Bremen passengers being welcomed as they land by Head of Tourism, Dawn Repetto |
The first party to land went on a guided hike to the top of the 1961 volcano, where there were superb views over the village. Some hikers took a rest in Volcanic Park '61 which sits on the lava flow at the foot of the cone.
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| 1961 Volcano Hike: On the level | |
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| Hikers resting in Volcanic Park '61 | Climbing up the rocky winding path |
Back in the village, visitors on independent walks called in to Prince Philip hall to buy local handicrafts and stamps, and to get a drink in the Albatross Bar - the world's remotest pub.
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| Visitors arriving at Prince Philip Hall and the Albatross Bar during independent hiking around the village | |
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| Inside the Albatross Bar, the remotest pub in the world | Customers at craft stalls in Prince Philip Hall |
The Post Office and Tourism Centre is the hub for all visitors, and also the pick-up point for the bus to the Potato Patches where islanders grow their main crops. The bus (licence plate TDC 1) travels the road west over the rolling settlement plateau, across the gulches and through The Valley behind Hillpiece.
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| Visitors waiting outside the Post Office and Tourism Centre for the next bus to the Potato Patches | |
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| Bus ferrying Bremen passengers to the Potato Patches | |
Drinks and snacks were available from the Post Office and Tourism Centre, including bottles of locally brewed Albatross Ale. Most visitors also bought stamps and sent postcards there. The garden has picnic tables, the 'Welcome to the Remotest Island' sign, as well as a number of historical museum exhibits.
Visitors may not have been aware that the Centre had been seriously damaged by a severe storm in July, and that major repairs had only been completed a few days before their visit. Our thanks go to the island's workforce (including the pensioners), the repair contractors, and the Post Office and Tourism team for their hard work in getting the Centre ready in time.
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| Bremen crew take a break among historical Tristan artefacts at the famous 'Welcome to the Remotest Island" sign. | |
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| Thirsty and hungry visitors buy Albatross Ale and refreshments at the Post Office and Tourism Café counter | Bremen passengers drinking outside the Post Office and Tourism Centre |
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| Buying gifts and handicrafts, and writing postcards at the Post Office and Tourism Centre | Writing postcards inside the Post Office and Tourism Centre |
Tourists were free to walk around the village, perhaps visiting the churches or discovering The Lane with its secluded Rockhopper Gift Shop.
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| Walking near St Joseph's Catholic church | |
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| The Rockhopper Gift Shop can be discovered down the flax-lined footpath called The Lane. | |
Passengers started returning to the ship in the afternoon, with the last Zodiac leaving about 15:00. Everyone - islanders, passengers and crew - agreed that it had been a perfect day.
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| The cruise team discuss the visit with Tristan's Head of Tourism, Dawn Repetto | Passengers leaving the harbour by Zodiac |
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| The MS Bremen team waving goodbye as they leave the harbour mouth in the last Zodiac | |
The Bremen weighed anchor shortly after the expedition team returned to the ship, and she departed to sail by Nightingale Island to see the wildlife. Her next destination is South Georgia, then Antarctica and a hoped-for landing on Cape Horn. We wish them Gute Reise!