We’re Adopted by Natives!!! Palmerston Island, Population: 35

jason and nikki wynn with their host family in palmerston cook islands

Adventure, Bureaucracy, Cook Islands, Sailing, Videos

We’re Adopted by Natives!!! Palmerston Island, Population: 35

December 1, 2019

6.09k

It’s day two of our passage to Palmerston in the Cook Islands. It will be the most isolated island we have sailed to.

The tiny speck of palm fringed sand has no airport, no harbor and a dwindling population of 35 inhabitants. All descendants of one man and three wives. The only way to visit the island is to arrive by boat and be adopted by one of the families.

But, there is another high-pressure system nipping at our heels promising a solid week or more of 30-40 knots of sustained wind and building seas. So, we’re in for some turbulence.

Can you imagine being sooo secluded with 35 of your extended family members? Hundreds of miles of ocean between you, civilization, supplies, medical care and any other human.

Even for us as sailors, living on a floating home, sometimes at sea for days on end, find this life hard to imagine. Our house moves, we can pick up and weather permitting, set off for civilization when we’re ready.

For Bob and his family, their only way on and off the island is on one of the supply ships. They have to plan months in advance to get off the island and it could take them months to get back. The words hurry, emergency, fast…they don’t mean much here.

But, in exchange for the inconveniences, they have a drastically different way of life. One they have chosen to maintain over the centuries, governed by them, for better or worse.

Its a fascinating case study and one I wouldn’t necessarily call utopia. But, with the right mindset perhaps it could be.

Being here is like crossing over into a parallel universe and one we feel overwhelmingly lucky to experience and share with you. Stay tuned, because next week we dive a lot deeper into the community and way of life here. It’s like stepping back in time…

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🎶AWESOME tunes:

Source: http://bit.ly/artlist-gwtw
- Artists – Giants & Pilgrims (intro), Live recordings of the Cook Islanders

⛵ SAILING REPORT

To see our full map with interactive pins, click here: gonewiththewynns.com/map

Nautical Miles Sailed: 240
Date: June/July 2019

Comments (22)

Simon Waddington

So sea sickness – seems like you guys generally have iron stomachs but does bad weather at night when you don’t have a clear horizon make it much worse? Or is not really a factor? I know from my limited experience things like food you’ve eaten, hydration, stress, caffeine, can make things much worse. Do you plan your meals and beverage consumption accordingly when bad weather is ahead?

Pru Krause

Hi Nikki and Jason,
Just in the middle of binge watching all your videos to catch up! But just wanted to say how much our family are loving sharing your adventures and especially these last few videos where you are really getting to know or ‘getting adopted’ by the locals. It’s just amazing how they open their doors and hearts to you. Love how the children take you under their wings, such special times.
Once again thank-you! Now back to watching…..
👍😁 Hanna, Thorsten and Pru

Geoffrey Strange

Now you have been out for awhile, what are your thoughts on the composing head vs just pumping it over as most cruisers do?

- Curious Minion
  
  They’ve answered this question several times, and the answer is always “composting head wins by a mile.” I think Jason really really hates the marine toilet. They originally considered making all 3 heads on Curiosity composting heads, but decided to leave one marine toilet in case they had trouble finding compost medium in their travels. But that hasn’t been a problem and I think Jason wishes they’d switched all 3. Maybe they’ll see this & elaborate more.
  Curious Minion
  
Wags & Paula, SV Gadabout

That’s a sexy boat you guys keep showing in every shot toward shore! 🙂

- Nikki Wynn
  
  You should see the people inside the boat! 😉
  
Deborah Kerr

Poor Jason, I was getting seasick just watching the waves!! However, I loved feeling like I was right there on your cat and seeing how big and strong the sea can be. Loved the little boy’s Ninja Turtle t-shirt. They seem to be up to date – like the girl, Mae, had her ponytail on top of her head and had leggings on. I would expect old-fashioned clothes from the 50’s I guess. Do they read magazines, newspapers, any recorded shows – what is their portal to the outside world? All that plastic – sad!!! And that beautiful blue turquoise sea 🏝
My headache dissolved away as I was watching this video – very relaxing and enjoyable! They are trusting people – they let their kids walk around with a bunch of strangers!! When you 2 were first buying and preparing Curiosity for sailing, all those maintenance videos in Florida, this was the stuff I was looking forward to⛵️!! Just amazing – I love it – what an adventure! Sorry for such a long-winded comment!

- Nikki Wynn
  
  They have internet (surprisingly)…so they have access to the whole world! This is the stuff we were looking forward to during all those maintenance videos in Florida too!
  
Alan Solomon

Never heard of Palmerston. Amazing story from 1863 though. It looks like a rough place to live. Sometimes powerless from Mother Nature.

Thanks,

Susan

Wow ! Quite a cozy population. Beautiful water and sand ! How was the food ??

John

I love all your adventures, excellent video editing. Your the Best.. Thank you Wynns.

Tony

Love this series. If my fifth wheel would float, I’d be on the way.
How is it you named your “cat” curiosity?

- Curious Minion
  
  Hey Tony. They talked about choosing the name in this blog post on buying and registering the boat. Check it out here, & happy reading! https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/exhausting-journey-buying-cruising-sailboat
  Curious Minion
  
Roger B

Maybe their simple lifestyle is an existence of a happy freedom of complexities that consume way too much precious time on Earth that the rest of us may experience.

Frank Field

Darned auto-correct spell checkers. Auto-correct lead you say “decedents.” I’m sure you meant “descendents.” You are, after all, talking about the people currently living on the island rather than their dead ancestors.

- Curious Minion
  
  Oops! Thanks, will fix that right now.
  Curious Minion
  
Sandra & the 2 Spaniels

Looks very pristine and beautiful. The plastic waste was a shocker!! I am doing everything that I can to get rid of my use of plastics. The gift guide was just bonus. I am so diving into those reuseable silicon bags! Storage stuff is a “when you need it, you need it-but when you don’t, it’s a damned nuisance”. Most of all, thanks for your reccommendation on that folding electric bike! I am going to try one after the first of the year. To have a great electric that folds up to carry in the car or on a plane, so you have transportation when you land is terrific! You guys are the bomb!

Christine

I enjoy your posts so much. I have been following your adventures for some time including your RVing travels and I am envious of all your adventures. Thanks for sharing.

Ember Baker

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures. I would never be able to see these places on my own as I am disabled, in a wheelchair, but I have an adventurous spirit and am curious about other people’s way of life. I only discovered you a few weeks ago, but I am so glad I did. Your generosity has enriched my life. You seem like wonderful people! May blessings great you wherever you travel!

- John
  
  I agree, well said. Thank you
  
Marjorie Nehlsen

So interesting to see this island.

Hunter

Double rainbows?! OMG!