News24 | WATCH | From Cape Town to St Helena to see Lot’s wife and the world’s oldest tortoise

Riaan Manser visited St Helena for a week – an island with an overwhelming “sense of place”, the most unique rock pool he’s ever seen named after Lot and his wife – and met a 194-year-old tortoise named Jonathan.

Our journey began by sailing out of Cape Town... and this was where we landed: the astonishing island of St Helena!

Usually one’s expectation of “special” is realised when planning that perfect getaway, but on St Helena Island, one is overwhelmingly immersed in its sense of place, almost like a spiritual conversion.

Mike was my cameraman and producer for the week while we were exploring the island, one of the world’s most remote, which has earned the title “The Home of Saints”.

As Mike kept reminding me every day: “We’re in the presence of saints…”

Every single adventure we took on as the Manser family was both unique and extraordinary – not because of the activity, but because of where we were. The “sense of place” hits home beautifully when you pause and give it thought.

For example, we ran a Parkrun. “Nothing special,” I hear you say. OK, how about this then: How about the first edition of the most remote official Parkrun in the world? Can’t do this anywhere else, can you?

I spoke at the high school. Yep “the” high school – the one and only.

I’ve spoken at hundreds of schools, but this one was different.

The island’s population has declined dramatically and the burden of an ageing population is exacerbated. Many young people leave the island with the idea of studying further and then returning one day.

But then they get caught up in the glitz and glamour of what the world’s big city lights have to offer, or they meet someone, get married and St Helena’s talent is lost.

They definitely needed the talk, not because I could convince them staying there was best for them. They needed it because I made them remember why being there was special.

I can say that one of the most spectacular hikes I’ve ever done was to “Lot’s Wife’s Ponds”, named after the biblical story of Lot and his wife. The trail is technical and at times steep, but the goal is beautiful pools with the views that span a harsh, “pillar”-laden landscape. It is unequalled.

The pillars are sandstone structures and the two major characters are, yep, you’ve guessed it, Lot and his wife – Lot being the larger pillar, which is slightly inland, and his wife being the petite and pretty pillar, which is near the shore. She looks back towards Africa, and where they had come from, I believe. Pretty unfair to be punished for that, I think!

You cross over two large ridges, descending and ascending slippery rock valleys, to eventually arrive at the most unique tidal pool you will ever see. I mean ever!

The swim was beyond remarkable. Crystal-clear water in a 10-foot-deep pool, shielded from the ocean by a barrier of volcanic rock.

On another adventure, we went fishing with Julian – a sixth-generation saint. We didn’t have to spend a whole day out at sea, but rather a few hours to load our boat with some yellowfin tuna, trevallies and bream.

Even before 13:00, we were sitting inside our dramatic cave campsite watching the tuna steaks sizzle over the fire. Kids snorkelled enthusiastically over shipwrecks just a few metres away. What can I say? “Sense of place!”

We climbed the 699 steps to the top of Jacob’s Ladder in non-record time. We didn’t find the heaven Jacob had dreamt about, but rather a Google Earth aerial view of the historic town of Jamestown.

We went and hung out with the oldest living animal on Earth, Jonathan the tortoise, A mere 194 years old! Where else on Earth…?

Did I mention the tomb of one of the world’s most famous leaders lies here as well: Napoleon Bonaparte. He was exiled to the island, but you can’t punish a man by sending him there!

So, are the people on this tiny island really saints?

Don’t miss our “In the presence of Saints” video, and tell me you don’t yearn to have the same sense of belonging and love for their history and culture, which these people have, for their special island.

And then on top of this: they are kind, good people, all day every day, right here on the most remote island on the planet.

There is one flight a week with only a few seats available. Jump on the next flight and see what I mean.

The outdoors is calling... time to listen!

*Riaan Manser is a pioneering international explorer with multiple world-firsts and has joined the team as the new editor of News24 Outdoors, driven by Ford.