11/10/09 - 18.02.84S 163.11.53W - Church!
Flying Cloud
Julian Nichols
Tue 13 Oct 2009 21:26
This part of the Pacific is religious and conservative so long trousers for guys, dresses and hats for girls. Boys on the left, girls on the right in church.
We met the lovely Sarah and Hinano - both 3rd generation and in their late 70's - who welcomed us to Church and blessed our boat and the trip.
Despite the fact that there were less than 16 adults in church (excluding us) the congregation mad the most fantastic sound with their hymns. The music was beautiful, with complex descants and sounds.
I have to say if i lived on Palmerston i would become deeply religious! It gets hit by around 4 cyclones a year, has had 3 Tsunami warnings in the last month, stands only 7ft above sea level (excluding Palms) gets maybe 2 supply ships a year, and only has fish and a few pigs and chickens as endemic food. Oh yes, and the island runs out of fuel in November - unless a supply ship comes.
Despite all this Edward and his family were remarkably cheery and invited us to a blow-out Sunday lunch.
We reciprocated by bringing meet, some childrens books, tennis rackets, a few child toys, fishing hooks, chocolate, the remains of the pink spinnaker (Edward is making some sails for some optimists they have), and some rope!
After lunch we had a little stroll through town again - Edwards family's first house is in the foreground on the left.
It is now used as their "beach house"
but originally slept a family of 15 - including Edward.
The view from the porch was amazing...
and then, with some sadness to be leaving so soon, it was time to get back on the boat and continue onwards to Niue...