Ascension Island
Island Exploration and Turtles
Ascension Island should carry a government health warning - it's addictive! This tiny speck in the midst of the South Atlantic - just 8° south of the Equator - has the power to captivate and to intrigue, to relax and to challenge.
At first sight the island seems inhospitable with more than 40 volcanic craters and a landscape dominated by cinder. Look further and you find a fascinating and varied landscape with enigmas such as Green Mountain, its highest peak and now the island's first National Park.
Until a few years ago Ascension Island was closed to visitors. It was a vital communications centre during the Cold War and remnants of the old NASA base (described by one client as 'something out of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.') are a poignant reminder of those days. Both US and British forces still have bases on Ascension; the BBC has a relay station and a forest of radio masts remain. There are also Green Turtles which come all the way from Brazil to lay their eggs on many of the 32 sandy beaches between November and April; there is a magnificent seabird island just off shore with new colonies being established on the 'main' island thanks to the work of conservationists.
The island has no native inhabitants but is home to a few hundred people - a mix of American and European, dominated by the 'Saints' from neighbouring St Helena who work there. Crime is practically unheard of, everyone greets each other in the street and the atmosphere is one of peace and community with visitors being made to feel thoroughly at home.
During our stay we'll be exploring every corner of the island. We hope to take a boat trip around Boatswainbird Island (always dependent upon sea conditions and availability of the boat) and we'll spend one evening under the supervision of the experts from the conservation organisation watching as the turtles lay their eggs - a really emotional experience. There'll be the opportunity for swimming and walking for those who so wish. All in all this is a really relaxing holiday on an island to which you will almost certainly want to return.
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