https://nz.trip.com/moments/detail/juan-fernandez-1905971-133180552
Olivia PembrokeUnited States

The "Island of Despair" in the South Pacific, over 600 km from the mainland, where the Robinson Crusoe story took place

In the South Pacific, 670 kilometers off the coast of Chile, lies an island called Robinson Crusoe Island. This solitary landmass, sculpted by waves and time, stands in silent grandeur. Measuring just 19 kilometers long and 11 kilometers wide, this remote outpost gained fame through the real-life ordeal of Alexander Selkirk, who was marooned here for four long years. His story inspired *Robinson Crusoe*, and the island was subsequently named in honor of the literary character. Upon disembarking, the first sight that greets visitors is the statue of "Robinson" himself. Erected near the dock, the figure gazes past the bustling cruise ships, eyes fixed on the horizon as if forever awaiting sails that will never appear. The leisurely docking of modern vessels and the laughter of tourists crash against the island’s stillness like waves—a surreal intersection of contemporary clamor and ancient solitude. Venturing inland, the true majesty of the ocean reveals itself. Cliffs, sharp as blades, endure the ceaseless pounding of primordial waves. Foaming white breakers explode against black reefs with deafening roars, as if some colossal beast endlessly gnaws at the island’s foundations. The tempestuous sea, wielding its untamed power, seems determined to drag this speck of land back into the abyss. Yet, just around the bend, another cove cradles serenity—its waters crystalline, sunlight piercing the depths to illuminate vibrant corals and darting fish. Fury and tranquility, two faces of the same sea. This island is indeed a forgotten emerald. When Selkirk struggled for survival here centuries ago, he likely never imagined that his solitary battle against desolation would take flight through words, transcending all oceans and continents. In this isolation, the human spirit’s adventure and introspection find their purest metaphor. No longer just a dot on the map, the island has become an eternal emblem in our collective soul—of exile, survival, and the uncharted territories within.
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Posted: Jun 21, 2025
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Robinson Crusoe Island

Juan Fernandez
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