Blogging from A to Z 2026 - Q is for Quays

As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

Whatever you call it, whether it is a Quay, Berth, Landing, Jetty, Pier, Wharf or Dock, it's a place where goods and people can be safely deposited on or collected from an island. It is an essential piece of Island infrastructure. Our Island Hopping adventures have given us many opportunities to use these facilities.

The ferry from Hamilton Island to Hayman Island leaves near here

Coming into our berth in Tromso

The newish Copenhagen Terminal is out of town

Arriving at Southampton, Island of Great Britain

Tilbury Docks near London, Island of Great Britain, is rather run down

Putting down the ramp in Lochaline, Scotland

Wake as we leave Lochaline for Fishnish, Mull

We had a stormy ride over to Fishnish, Mull from Lochaline

Ferry to Fionnphort, Mull from Iona

Divers in Iona were using this ramp next to the ferry terminal

Ferry Terminal - Craignure, Mull

Dock in Papeete, Tahiti waiting for our ship to arrive and take us across the Pacific

Approaching Hatieu on Nuku Hiva

The waves made disembarking at Vaitahu on Tauhata Island was tricky

Historic Quay near Tahai on Easter Island

Easter Island - where our zodiacs landed after rough rides

The hairiest landing on our cross Pacific journey was at Pitcairn Island

Busy wharf at Robinson Crusoe Island

Cannons guarding the port at Robinson Crusoe Island

Those pink legs on the dock belong to me
- waiting for transport back to ship from Fatu Hiva

The access was easy at Omoa in Fatu Hiva

Waiting in our Zodiac for our turn to reboard the Silver Cloud after an Island visit

Fur Seals sunning on the landing spot on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos

Fellow passengers waiting for our transfers to 
National Geographic Explorer in the Galapagos

Berth in Burnie, Tasmania ready for our arrival

Coming in to Wellington, NZ

We disembarked near the ferries in Auckland, NZ

The wharf in Lyttleton, NZ appeared to be an extension

I don't think we have ever visited any Islands starting with Q.

Blogging from A to Z 2026 - P is for Pitcairn

 

As I travel the world I take many photos that pique my interest. During the year April 2025 to March 2026 our travels included visits to many islands large and small. My theme for 2026 Island Hopping will give precedence to Islands visited in the past year but for those difficult letters like X and Z I will dig into my photo archives for content.

"The Pitcairn Islands (/ˈpɪtkɛərn/ PIT-kairn;[5] Pitkern: Pitkern Ailen), officially Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands,[6][7][8][9] are a group of four volcanic islands in the southern Pacific Ocean that form the sole British Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean. The four islands—Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno—are scattered across several hundred kilometres (miles) of ocean and have a combined land area of about 47 square kilometres (18 square miles). Henderson Island accounts for 86% of the land area, but only Pitcairn Island is inhabited."  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitcairn_Islands

Rough conditions along the coast of Pitcairn 19/10/2025

Common sense ruled on our day in Pitcairn Island. The sea was very rough and landing would be hazardous for someone like me with poor mobility. Although I didn't get to set foot on the island I felt the vibes from our lectures, fellow travellers and my husband. I wrote about my day Parked off Pitcairn.

The Ship provided this map of Pitcairn Island

My husband, who is much fitter than I, made the trip over to the Island and had a splendid day. Following is a selection of his pictures.

A fellow traveller took a photo of my husband (Right) with the Mayor of Pitcairn

There were many information boards on the Island

A relic from the HMS Bounty

The local school has no pupils

Dense vegetation

Fletcher Christian's Cave

Looking out to our ship

The Cemetery is in use. My husband kindly took
headstone images to upload to FindaGrave

Old Mill

Pitcairn Museum

The Bell at Adamstown is used to communicate with Islanders

Church

Interior of Church

The Inhabitants served a "Fish and Chip" lunch to the travellers

The supply boat makes regular visits to the island. 

Longboats used today to transport goods to the island

Locals in a longboat going out to meet the supply ship

Bonus Post Finger Licking Good

P islands we have visited  include Papua New Guinea, Phillip Island, Pleneau Island, Pulbah Island