Hapatoni, Tahuata

We are unable to get to our next stop at Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia due to high winds and heavy seas.  As an alternate, we go to a nearby island and stop at Hapatoni, a village located in the bay of Vaitahu, on the island of Tahuata, also in the Marquesas Archipelago and with a population of about 100 people.  We are told that the village is known for its friendly people and welcoming culture and that the main sights in town are the marketplace, the church, the beehives, the stone bridge, and the public toilet.  We go ashore to find these items, all on the Royal Road, and discover a delightful, happy, beautiful town.

Approaching Hapatoni

Welcome to our town!

We walk down the Royal Road through the middle of town to find the sights.

Lots of coconuts

Views of the sea

Along the Royal Road

We arrive at the marketplace and find that the building is filled with handicrafts for us to admire (and, possibly, purchase), tables of food for us to enjoy, and a local band.

At the marketplace

We continue along the Royal Road to the church and the beehives.

Beautiful flowers along the way

Passing the church

More great views of the sea

Reaching the beehives at the end of the road

We stroll back along the Royal Road, stopping briefly at the marketplace again, and then return to the ship, caught by surprise by a few things, including a telephone booth in the middle of town and that the lights and poles at the port are all wrapped with flowers.

Telephone booth near the market

And, we did find the public toilets in the middle of town near the market (and the telephone).

Public WC

Creative pole decoration

Back on the ship, we are treated to a group of local dancers from the island who come aboard to entertain us before we depart.

Local dancers and band

This has been a terrific [alternate] stop.  What a happy, delightful place!

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.