Most remote populated island on planet earth can only be reached by six day ship journey
Tired of contemporary society's annoyances like packed rail journeys, never-ending work messages, and environmental degradation? If this sounds familiar, here's some pleasant information - several small isles exist in distant parts of the globe where time passes more gently. One location is actually part of the UK, but its British postal address is misleading, as journeys to this secluded spot typically take between five to seven days.
The island in question is Tristan da Cunha, situated in the Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha archipelago - a British Overseas Territory. Located a six-day boat voyage from Cape Town, these tiny volcanic islands stand in the South Atlantic Ocean's center, encircled by vast expanses of water.
Tristan da Cunha is so isolated that its closest neighboring land mass carries the fitting name Inaccessible Island. While not the most inviting title, it certainly offers a location for complete tranquility.
If you desire an exceptional vacation to impress your social circle and want to travel to Tristan da Cunha, here's what you'll experience.
You can fly straight to Cape Town from London Heathrow with a flight duration of 11 hours 35 minutes. Your journey continues after landing in the South African city - you'll need to board a vessel (as the island has no airports) across the Atlantic. This 2810 km (1750 mile) sea passage takes five to six days, depending on weather conditions.
The island's population hovers around 238 people, changing with departures and arrivals of interested visitors. According to All That's Interesting, current inhabitants descend from the original settlers and share their home with uncommon bird species, rockhopper penguins, and blue sharks.
Locals also feel exceptionally safe regarding island security. One resident told the BBC in 2016: "You can let the children go anywhere, I mean anywhere. We don't bolt the door or lock the door, we leave our windows open, we leave our doors open. There's no locks at all."
Should this distant settlement at the Earth's edge appeal to you, we regrettably must share disappointing news - the island proves extremely challenging to move to, beyond just its geographical location.
According to the official Tristan da Cunha website, immigration to the island remains impossible unless "you already have a family connection with the island." Purchasing "real estate or property on the islands" is also not an option, and finding work opportunities presents significant difficulties.
