Omoa, Fatu Hiva

Fatu Hiva is the southernmost island of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia and is the most isolated of the inhabited islands.  We stop in the small town of Omoa on the southwestern coast of the island.

The first western explorer to visit Fatu Hiva arrived in 1595, thinking he had found the Solomon Islands.  On discovering his mistake, he named the archipelago "Marquesas de Mendoza."  The island of Omoa (one of 15 main islands in the archipelago) has about 700 people is known for its stunning scenery and its local arts and crafts.

We head ashore and walk up the road through Omoa.

Approaching Fatu Hiva

First views of Omoa

The harbor

Welcome to our island

We walk down the main street in Omoa, visit the church and the grocery/general stores, then return to the harbor to view the arts and crafts on sale in the market.  Along the way, we see many stone carvings depicting human figures, deities, or ancestors, some dating back centuries.

Carvings along the way

Along the main road

Catholic church

Stores

We marvel at all the great tropical fruit (some of which we don't recognize) growing on the trees along the road.

Fruit along the way

A lazy day in town

After a brief stroll to the end of town, we return to the harbor, the craft market, and more great stone carvings.

The market

More carvings

Walking past the market, we stroll a ways into the countryside, admiring the beautiful landscape and bright flowers.

Scenic landscape

Overlooking the harbor

Looking back at the village

Great flowers

More carvings

Back at the beach

Welcoming party now saying goodbye

Leaving Omoa

As the sun sets

This has been a brief, beautiful stop as we travel further in French Polynesia.