And now for something completely different - Robinson Crusoe Island
Just 414 miles from mainland Chile - a short 2 ½ hour flight on turbo prop plane - Robinson Crusoe Island is an adventure lovers dream! Part of the Juan Fernandez Archipelago it is the largest of three islands along with Alexander Selkirk and Santa Maria Islands. Back in the 16th century when the islands were first discovered by Juan Fernandez, a Portuguese mariner sailing for the Spanish, the islands were originally called Isla Mas Atierra and Isla Mas Afuera - Island Closest to Land and Island Furthest From Land. As that has no sex appeal, the Chilean government decided to change the name in the 1960’s to reflect the island’s famous inhabitant - Alexander Selkirk aka “Robinson Crusoe.” Selkirk, not wanting to continue on his badly damaged ship The Cinque Ports, asked the crew to remain with him on the island. No one took him up on his offer and the ship sailed without him. He stayed on the island - entirely alone - for 4 years and 4 months until he was rescued by the English ship The Duke. It was from the true story of Selkirk that Daniel Defoe conceived of the fictional Robinson Crusoe.The mountainous island is home to 101 endemic species of plants, 3 endemic species of birds, and the Juan Fernandez sea lion. It was named a UNESCO International Biosphere in 1977. Outside of the tiny town of San Juan Bautista, population 791, there are miles of trails through three different kinds of ecosystems. There is a new “hotel” on the island that sleeps 30 people; most of its guests come for the exquisite nature the island supports and diving off Cumberland Bay where the scuttled hull of the German cruiser the Dresden went down in WWI. Few cruise ships call on Robinson Crusoe Island. Those that do are usually smaller expeditionary ships with a clientèle interested in nature. The community is in the process of expanding its tender pier to accommodate a wider range of passengers. There are many building projects underway and it is sure that you will be hearing more about this island in the future!<