One of the things I’ve always enjoyed doing is to ‘exploring a subject.’
Often, I see people walk up to a subject, take a couple of photos and then walk off. Yes, take the overall subject, but move closer and explore the detail and I believe often, you will be pleasantly surprised with what you find. You will also come away with a picture-story which will help you convey much more meaning than with a couple of images.
One such example of this was when I was on Norfolk Island last year. Cascade Pier (pictured below) is the Island’s second or alternate pier. Used by fishing boats, and also schoolchildren to jump off of, after school, it is also used as an alternate pier if the main pier, at Kingston cannot be used for some reason.
It’s a great subject, and it’s even more impressive in regards to the detail when you move in closer. This pier could (as does) tell so many stories, from the rusted steel, the smell of the salty air. I found it such an inspiring place to be, photograph, write and sketch.
So, the next time you see an interesting subject, delve a bit deeper as you never know what interesting subjects you may find.
Norfolk Island has a number of great museums as it has a very rich history, maritime and otherwise.
Of course one of the most famous aspects of its history is the fact that the Bounty Mutineer descendants made their home on Norfolk island after transferring from Pitcairn Island. There also had been a Polynesian Settlement before Captain Cook arrived and two Penal Colonies prior to arrival of Bounty Mutineer descendants.
The Bounty Folk Museum is situated at Middlegate, on the way to the UNESCO World Heritage site at Kingston and Arthur’s Vale if you are heading there from Burnt Pine, the main shopping centre on the Island.
On http://www.norfolkisland.com.au The Bounty Folk Museum is described as ‘A treasure chest of history, an Aladdin’s cave full of fantastic collections, excellent learning resources and inspiring information …’.
We visit The Bounty Folk Museum every time we go to Norfolk Island and each time, we allow 2-3 hours time to explore. It is much bigger than it looks from the outside.
Rather than me try to explain what you will find there, have a look at the images below. It is absolutely fascinating! The following images do not show all the rooms there.
This museum is very much on the ‘must do’ list when you are visiting Norfolk Island!
Regular readers of my blog will be aware of my love of writing Poetry and collecting books on Poetry that inspire and delight me.
On our recent trip to Norfolk Island, I was pleased to not only pick up a copy of Mark Tarren’s latest book but also actually get to meet the Author himself.
I first heard about the book from Mary Beth Tarren (Mark’s Wife) in a chance meeting outside Mary’s “Aunt Mary’s Kitchen” cafe/restaurant. Everyone is so friendly on Norfolk Island so it is easy for conversations to get started.
During the conversation, Mary mentioned that her husband had written a Poetry book relating to Norfolk Island. It wasn’t long before I came across the book as it is in several outlets on the Island.
I was quite impressed with the writing. One can sense the deep emotional impact that living on Norfolk Island has had on Mark and I am very pleased to add it to my collection.
For me (as a 3rd time visitor to Norfolk) it was also another way of ‘taking a bit more of Norfolk Island back home with me…’. Over the three trips we have brought back all sorts of souvenirs from this piece of Paradise, including “Morla el Do” a collection of Poems by another Norfolk Island resident, Archie Biggs.
There are all sorts of souvenirs one can bring home from a holiday to remind us of the wonderful times we have had however, to bring home words written in such fine style by a Poet with images that complement those words, is to bring home something special from the Heart of a resident.
To find out more about the book and Mark Tarren, please click on the following link:
There are many interesting tours to do on Norfolk Island. One of our favourites (we’ve done it every time we’ve visited) is the ‘Pine Tree Tours Island Fish Fry’ located at ‘Orn Da Cliff’.
Imagine eating freshly caught fish that is barbecued on a clifftop and served with loads of traditional Norfolk Island food whilst the Sun sets in the background…
All this whilst being entertained by Trent Christian, and 8th descendant of Fletcher Christian (from the Mutiny On The Bounty), singing and playing his guitar and also having a demonstration from the Baunti (Bounty) Beauties performing Norfolk Polynesian dancing.
It is great also to meet other visitors to the Island and share some stories of your trip adventures so far and you will probably run into them from time-to-time through your holiday.
The food was delicious, including traditional desserts washed down with a wine or a beer or non-alcoholic beverages. It’s hard to get across in words so I think I’ll let the images do the talking from here, although one final recommendation is ‘go to Norfolk Island and sample it for yourself!’
On 18 February 2022, my Wife, Susan and I headed off to one of our favourite places to go for a holiday, Norfolk Island for 10 nights. It was our third trip there.
View from Queen Elizabeth Lookout over Quality Row (part of Kingston World Heritage site), the Golf course and Nepean and Phillip Islands.
Norfolk Island is located 1,766 kilometres (1,097 miles) North East of Sydney, Australia and there are only two flights in and out per week. The Island itself is an external territory of Australia that was gifted to Australia by the British Commonwealth back in 1913. It became self-governing in 1979 but then in 2015 the Australian Government took over control.
There have been 4 settlements on the Island. Archaeological evidence suggests the the Polynesians were there between (c.1150 and c.1450 AD), then in 1788 the British arrived on Norfolk Island and a Penal colony existed till 1814, then was closed down. A while later, another Penal colony was established and that was closed down in 1856.
Gallows Gate – New Gaol – Penal Settlement
The ‘Mutiny On The Bounty’ also had a part to play as, after the Mutiny, Fletcher Christian and the other mutineers ended up taking The Bounty to Pitcairn Island (some 7,000+ kilometres East of Sydney). Descendants of the mutineers then settled on Norfolk Island in 1856 and descendants of the 8 families are still on Norfolk Island to this day.
As mentioned, this is our third visit there, the first being our Honeymoon in 1997, then for our 10th Wedding Anniversary in 2007. This time it was for our 25th Wedding Anniversary and we will definitely be going back again.
Susan and a Moreton Bay Fig Tree at ‘100 Acres’.
The Island is only 34.6 square kilometres (13.36 square miles) in area and is 8km (4.97 miles) wide and 5km (3.1 miles) long however, in three visits there we have not seen it all or done everything there is to do there. It is such and amazing place that caters for all interests and tastes. Whether you are a history buff, like to relax, sketch, paint, photograph, play sports (including Golf), swim, surf, snorkel, read, kayak, paddle-board, fish, hike, go out to restaurants, live bands or shop, there is something for everyone.
Sunset at Puppy’s Point
Over the ensuing weeks (or longer), I will be writing some articles based on our experiences on this Island paradise.
As the Island’s advertising slogan states, ‘There’s more to Norfolk Island.’
Poetry and Prose by #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Nature Speaks of Love and Sorrow, Co-Author of #1 Amazon Bestseller, Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women, and Jan/Feb 2022 Spillwords Press Author of the Month
Communicating Creatively 