Some of the modern day Marsters on Palmerston.
The Government provides support in the form of direct aid such as a generator and in public works projects like the community water tank and school. All homes have electricity from 6 am till noon and in the evening. Almost every house has a freezer though few have fridges. VCRs are also very popular (there's no broadcast television or radio).
The Government provides support in the form of direct aid such as a generator and in public works projects like the community water tank and school. All homes have electricity from 6 am till noon and in the evening. Almost every house has a freezer though few have fridges. VCRs are also very popular (there's no broadcast television or radio).
Parrot fish are the island's main cash crop. They're dried or frozen and shipped to Rarotonga. But the islanders have a hard time getting their product to market because of the infrequent visits by the supply ships. The local diet is supplemented by baby Bosun birds and coconuts.
These remarkable pictures were taken by Matthew Mumford of New South Wales, Australia. In kindly giving me permission to reproduce the shots, Matthew says he feels extremely fortunate to have visited Palmerston and it's something he won't forget in a hurry. You can read about this and other expeditions he's undertaken by visiting his web site
MEETING THE MARSTERS
For a first hand account of a visit to Palmerston and a meeting with the Marsters, read David Brettell's fascinating piece in New Internationalist magazine
For a first hand account of a visit to Palmerston and a meeting with the Marsters, read David Brettell's fascinating piece in New Internationalist magazine
Bill Marsters has set up a rescue programme on Palmerston for the Pacific Green Turtle. The species is officially classified as endangered and the programme gives the turtle a helping hand in life from the point of hatching (left) until the juvenile stage when it can be released back into the wild (right).
England's Legacy Lives On
WHAT'S IN A NAME?!
Fishing is particularly good near the bizaarely named "Kick Me Arse Rock". It was called that by William Marsters, after he had a particularly fierce fight one day against the wind and tide. And according to islanders, that's a lot better than some of the names he called it while he was trying to get round it!!
POINTERS TO PARADISE:
PALMERSTON REUNION RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
PALMERSTON REUNION RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
