Meet the woman who lives on the world’s most remote island – 1,500 miles off the coast of South Africa – where there is only one shop, one bar and one school and a population of 138.
Kelly Green, 32, moved from Eastbourne, East Sussex, in the United Kingdom, to Tristan da Cunha, a remote group of volcanic islands in the South Atlantic, in July 2013.
The entire island is home to just seven families and has a population of just 138. It is only accessible by boat from Cape Town, South Africa and the journey can take anywhere from a week to 15 days, depending on the weather.
After a difficult separation, Kelly traveled to the island in 2010 to visit her parents as her father was a diplomat there.
Kelly said she “fell in love” with the island and met her now husband Shane Green, 33, there.
Shane, a carpenter who has lived on the island all his life, helped Kelly carry her luggage off the raft and they soon fell in love.
Kelly moved permanently to Tristan da Cunha in July 2013 and the couple now have two children together: Savannah, eight, and Seren, who is 16 months old.
Kelly said she “fell in love” on Tristan da Cunha island, where she met her husband Shane Green, 33.
Kelly Green moved from Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK, to Tristan da Cunha (pictured), one of the remote volcanic islands in the South Atlantic, in July 2013.
The entire island is descended from just seven families and has a population of just 138
The island is 1500 miles off the coast of South Africa
Kelly says the island lifestyle is “a huge contrast to the manic non-stop hustle and bustle of the UK” – and focuses on outdoor living with “everyone living off the land and getting involved”.
Kelly, head of the tourism office, said: “It’s like Emmerdale but on an island and less dramatic. We all know each other and know what is going on in each other’s lives.
“My mum said it reminded her of a village in the north of the UK because of the Tristan accent.
“There are only 138 people here, so we all know each other.
“There is only one police officer on the island and I never have to call him.
“To get to the island you have to fly to Cape Town and then take a boat 1,500 miles away, which takes seven to 15 days, depending on the weather.
“The wooden houses are at risk of fire because they heat their house with gas cylinders.
“Unfortunately, a few weeks ago my best friend’s house was set on fire and everything burned down.
“It was terrible – but luckily they came out with their dogs and we will all come together to rebuild the house.”
Kelly’s husband Shane Greene (33) with their two daughters on a fishing trip
The island is only accessible by boat from Cape Town, South Africa and the journey can take anywhere from a week to 15 days depending on the weather
Kelly says the island lifestyle is “a huge contrast to the UK’s manic non-stop hustle and bustle” – and aims for outdoor living with “everyone who lives and participates in the country”.
In the event of an emergency, there is a metal gong that rings continuously to alert the island.
On a daily basis Kelly runs the tourism office and when she gets home she cooks dinner for her family – the staples are mutton, lobster, fish, potatoes and fresh fruit and vegetables.
“I really miss eating out, there are no restaurants or takeaways and there is only one very small shop,” said Kelly.
“Query is extremely expensive, but there are a few comforts of home like Hellman’s mayonnaise that I can’t live without and order from Asda.”
Deliveries are only made nine times a year on large ships – costs vary as freight from the UK costs much more than shipping from Cape Town.
A small case from the UK can cost around £600, increasing as global costs soar.
The mother of two has to get creative to provide the family with “fakeaways” and has learned to make her own sushi using seafood, rice paper, rice and condiments such as soy sauce and sriracha.
At the bar on the island – The Albatross – a handful of revelers count as a roaring night.
Shane, a carpenter who has lived on the island all his life, helped Kelly carry her luggage off the raft and they soon fell in love.
There is only one shop on the small remote island
“I really miss eating out, there are no restaurants or takeaways and there is only one very small shop,” said Kelly. In the photo: the only shop on the island
Kelly Green and her two children who grew up on the remote island
“There’s only five people inside on a busy night,” Kelly said.
Kelly explains that their lifestyle is “traditional”: the men go hunting, they go to the mountains and the women do most of the housework.
Birthdays play a big role in the social calendar – and whoever’s birthday has a party at home – everyone brings a bottle and some food for the table.
On fishing days – the boys go fishing at 05:00 and when it’s Kelly’s turn with the “bundle” – she makes food for everyone throughout the day.
“Shane leaves in the morning and I will feed the chickens and children,” she said.
“When I finish work at 3pm, I go to the fish factory to help prepare the fish.
“Sometimes we stay until midnight to pack products that go all over the world.”
The main sources of income for the islands are lobster, postage stamps and coins.
Kelly explains that their lifestyle is “traditional”: the men go hunting, they go to the mountains and the women do most of the housework. Pictured: Kelly at a lobster factory
At the school, students are often in small classes – there are only five pupils in Kelly’s daughter Savannah’s class and there are 19 pupils in the whole school.
One of the vintages has only one person.
Kelly said: “Classes go up to GCSE and when children want to continue their formal education they often go to Cape Town or the UK.
“We’re an aging population, so we want to keep our young people, but it can be very boring for them.”
Fortunately, the island has never been hit by Covid and they are waiting for cruise ships to return to start their tourism again.
They have several annual days such as “Ratting Day” where they release the dogs on the island to kill rats that are believed to have arrived on a boat.
On “Oujaarsaand” – New Year’s Eve – the men with creepy masks parade through the town on tractors.
“It’s scary, it’s almost like something from America. They’ll knock on your window and try to spray you down,” Kelly said.
Preparation is key in long distance life and Kelly has already ordered all her Christmas presents ahead of time.
Kelly added: “It’s a great place to start a family. I love England but I can’t imagine ever living there again.”
Source link
