The trip to Rekohu (The Chatham Islands) by artist Penny Otto
It was December 2003 my husband Arnold and I were travelling by cargo ship from Napier to Rekohu (Moriori for Chatham Islands). I am later to label the trip in my mind’s eye as unforgettable.
Apart from an ornithologist from an Irish university we were the only passengers travelling with five dogs, fifty sheep, a fire engine and the islanders’ Christmas presents.
Loading 50 sheep
Albatrosses flew past the ship, eying us through the portholes. We (some) were fascinated by their aerobatics as they searched for food on the surface of the water. Our fellow traveller kept us informed as to whether we were watching a wandering, Pacific or royal albatross, and there were shearwaters in the air too.
Albatross 1
Albatross 2
Portrait of my husband
The Captain’s Table
Moriori art.
On my return to land I put together a series of works from the Chatham Islands. These works were exhibited at an Orewa gallery.
Penny Otto 
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