About 4,500 people live on St. Helena
Almost 200 years ago a British warship transported Napoleon Bonaparte to his exile on the island of St. Helena, a place from where it would be impossible for him to escape ever again.
Today, Bonaparte would probably find it almost as tough to escape from the tiny volcanic island located right in the middle of the South Atlantic.
The island is one of a string of remote British possessions scattered across the hostile seas that lie between Africa and South America, the remains of a once mighty empire.
It's no exaggeration to say that reaching St. Helena from Europe takes pretty much as long as in Napoleon's time.
CNN: Commercial flights finally open up Napoleon's hidden Atlantic island
The biggest problem in reaching the island is wind shear problems for aircraft have made it too difficult and dangerous to land. However, Embraer is taking up that challenge.
Embraer, the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, also threw in its two cents. It flew one of its Embraer E190 jets, an airliner with capacity for nearly 100 passengers, from Fortaleza, Brazil direct to St. Helena.
As well as demonstrating the capabilities of this aircraft type and its suitability for operations in the island, the Brazilian firm's publicity stunt left us with stunning footage of St.Helena's natural beauty.
It's actually an Embraer E190 airliner that will finally take up the task of connecting St. Helena to the outside world by air.
South African carrier SA Airlink has opened ticket sales for its upcoming Johannesburg to Saint Helena flight.
- CNN
That's likely to be a hefty expense for a tourist flight with all manner of crazy connections to get there and that sounds like Big Bucks at the Rockhouse.
Zen Yogi: I would want to go there to stay
When only 4500 people live there, Yogi, they may not allow it so they can preserve their local culture. Probably a UK passport will get you in there but it takes a whole lot more paperwork to stay. Visiting St Helena is easy once you get past the ticket prices but staying is not likely to be easy at all.
Air links are expected to have a massive transformative effect on the island's economy -- particularly on a tourism industry that's currently limited to a few guest houses.
In many ways, St. Helena is a sort of lost paradise.
It boasts an unspoiled natural environment with ecosystems ranging from rainforest to desert.
It has a picturesque capital, Jamestown, and several historical sites, some connected to the island's past role as a Royal Navy anti-slavery base.
The most popular of the island's sights, though, may well be Longwood House, Napoleon's last residence on the island.
Locals are already gearing up for the economic boost that tourism can bring about, with plans to expand the island's accommodation options and some operators working on special-interest tours.
- CNN
See the original article for more reasons to visit and there are plenty.
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