The 10 most important things one should learn and do whilst on Pitcairn
Trading On-Island
Secondary income for islanders is trading souvenirs and the like, with cruise ship passengers. On average we get 8 cruise ships a year. Of the 8 at least 2 will get their passengers ashore. Typically these are the smaller expedition type ships with 100 – 150 passengers and that number again in crew. Otherwise we will go out to the ship and trade on-board.
There's an art to trading on-island. Where you setup your table can make the difference on the day.
The 3 key areas are;
1. Down on the landing.
2. There’s a couple of hundred metres of main road through Adamstown from which to choose an advantage spot. This could be beside a large tree offering shade from the sun for customers or on the few grass verges along the way providing a soft green carpet for those admiring your wares.
For the last few years we’ve set ourselves up outside the General Store. Although the stores not open on the day, it has a large awning providing additional shelter to our gazebo.
3. The third location is within the ‘Square’. Typically passengers
ashore will head here and decide their day. Totally under cover,
lots of seating and tables, with the Post Office right beside.
Most ships like to arrive, be anchored and start moving passengersed by 8am. This means locals are up and ready for action by day break. Trading tables need to be setup, then able body persons down to the landing, to assist should the ship require our longboats to help shuttle passengers.
Zara was eager to manage our table whilst Heather welcomed passengers ashore in her role as 'Tourism Coordinator, and I would assist in the longboat.
and they're bringing passengers ashore
Down at the landing Heather and I watch as the ship drops anchor and decides whether to use its tenders or our longboat.
and they're bringing passengers ashore
Meanwhile Zara, Darrin and Brandon are putting finishing touches to our trading area.
Darrin sweeps Pitcairn’s dried mud from around our table, whilst Brandon demolishes a local fruit called “Snow Fruit” for breakfast.
'Snow Fruit'
Zara uses a length of dark material as a table cloth on which she arranges jewellery and soap, our key wares. The dark cloth makes both products stand out. Its velvety look and feel, provides a sense of ‘plushness’ to the jewellery. Zara’s pretty confident we’ll be able to pay the bills come the end of day.
confident the tables just right
It takes Zara several attempts before she satisfied with her arrangement. Then it’s sit and wait for the first wave of visitors.
Passengers tend to arrive ashore in lots of 40, after which they walk or are taken by quad bike to the top of the Hill of Difficulty. From there they’ll scroll along the main road towards the Square… to get there they must pass ‘ZARA’.
The first group starts to arrive, and things don’t quite go as anticipated. Sales are not really happening although there’s a lot of positive feedback.
Fortunately Nola Warren turns up to give moral support and provide expert advice on arranging a table. With slight adjustments made, the tide begins to turn. By the end of the day Zara’s made a handful of Dollars, Pounds and Euro’s and farewelled a lot of very satisfied customers.
Come 4 o’clock we’re all back up at Big Flower and watching the ship hove to as it prepares to head towards Tahiti. On our minds right now… we need to make more jewellery before the next ship arrives!
Make more jewellery fast!
