Jacaranda Journey
South Pacific Map
Showing the large Polynesian Triangle. Within it is French Polynesia, the size of Europe with 3%of it being land.
Map of Marquesas Islands
Six inhabited islands - 3 in the south, 3 in the north
The Pillars of Ua Pou
Dramatic volcanic landscapes in the Marquesas
Hiva Oa landscape
French Overseas Territory
The archipelago flies 3 flags: Marquesan, Polynesian, and French
Marquesian woman
Tiare flower behind her ear, long flowing hair, flower crown, carved bone earring, tattoos
Marquesan with his outrigger canoe
Paul Gauguin art from Polynesia
Traditional dancing
Traditional dancers
Breadfruit
Form of Marquesan landscape
Nuku Hiva (photo: leeabbamonte.com)
Adorning the World Art of Marquesas
Metropolitan Museum of Art's groundbreaking exhibit showing historical engraving of Marquesan man on the catalogue cover (1813 by W. Tilenau, artist on A.Krusenstern's voyage of 1804)
Engraving of Marquesan warrior
1813 by W. Tilenau, artist on A.Krusenstern's voyage of 1804
Tiki carvings
Tiki culture is strong
It spread from the Marquesas to Easter Island and Hawaii
Chuck preparing for landfall
Approaching Tahuata Island on June 10 after 3 weeks at sea in our Puddle Jump from Galapagos
Hanamoenoa Bay
Hanamoenoa Bay
Steven's place - Hanamoenoa
Rainbow - Hanamoenoa Bay
Southwestern Tahuata
Lots of cowrie shells found beach combing
Pacific Spotted Dolphins
Swimming with the mantas
Ella and Millie from svMuneera follow a manta ray
Manta rays
The position of their cephalopods means they are feeding in these plankton rich waters
Manta underside
The identifying pattern underneath is as unique as a fingerprint. You can also see the gills clearly.
Manta eyes
Research has shown that they distinguish divers by eyesight - so we always smile at them when they come close to eyeball us
Graceful Manta rays
About 5 feet across, these mantas were much smaller than the 18-footers we rode in the Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico
Hana Tefau anchorage
As seen from the village of Hapitoni
Outrigger canoes - Hapitoni
Tahuata Island - Hapitoni
Royal Road
Tahuata Island - Hapitoni
Royal Road with archeological religious site on the right
Hapitoni
Palm frond fence
Hapitoni house
Hapitoni
Picking breadfruit
Hapitoni
Playing petanque (lawn bowling). Our two French cruiser friends, Serge and Gerard (left) are quite at home.
Pétanque
Lots of people were wearing League T-shirts
Hapitoni
Children fishing for prizes
Hapitoni adolescents
Elementary schools exist on each island. The only high school is in Tahiti and their middle school is in Hiva Oa so the older kids are gone from their families all year and only return on holidays.
Hapitoni
Women making flower crowns for their hair (hei)
Girls wearing heis
Hapitoni
People from other Tahuata towns who come for the festival bed down in the school building - there are no hotels.
Hapitoni
Cook's in the kitchen preparing a free public dinner for everyone in attendance
Hapitoni
Church in the evening during the free public dinner
Hapitoni
The little ones are so loved and shared by everyone
Hapitoni
At the church service on Sunday mornings, women wear their flowered crowns. The singing is wonderful!
Linda and Princess
All the island schoolteachers seem to speak english
David and Kim - svMaluhia
Their birthday/happy landing dinner on Jacaranda with crowns and Hand-steering awards
Vaitahu
Bay with the Aranui
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