23 Jan 2023

Off the beaten track with Kennedy Warne

From Nine To Noon, 11:45 am on 23 January 2023

Kennedy brings us news from Tongareva/Penrhyn Atoll, the northernmost of the Cook Islands, where solo Pacific rower Tom Robinson is staying until the summer cyclone season passes and he can recommence his voyage from Lima to Brisbane.

Twenty-three-year-old Brisbane man Tom Robinson at the oars somewhere between Peru and Penrhyn Atoll/Tongareva on his solo voyage across the Pacific (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Tom's view for the past five months, over the stern of Maiwar, the rowing boat he designed and built for the voyage (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Tongareva Atoll (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Maiwar moored in the boat harbour at Omaka, the larger of two villages in Tongareva (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Omaka village is divided into two groups: "old town" and "new city." "New city" prepares for a performance during the Christmas/New Year celebrations (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Dancing is part of every social event on Tongareva (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Tom became an honorary member of the Sunday School choir. (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Families have "weekender" shacks on uninhabited motu around the atoll for camping and getting away from it all (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Tom has had to get used to fancier fare than he has eaten for the past five months at sea (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)

Food is laid out for yet another feast. In the background is a pile of oyster shells collected from the lagoon. (PHOTO: Tom Robinson)