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HIVA OA 'Paul Gauguin's island' |
Above the steady rumble of the Pacific surge, the sharply sculpted mountains of Hiva Oa (Marquesas map : click here) hide their summits in the mists of rain-filled clouds. The largest and most fertile island in the southern group of the Marquises, Hiva Oa has deep valleys, lush plateaus and thickly wooded forests.
Located 1 184 km. (740 miles) northeast of Tahiti the town of Atuona is the administrative center for the southern Marquises. Framed in a theatre of mountains with the Bay of Traitors providing safe anchorage.
Atuona is a favorite port of call for yachts and copra ships. Atuona village has a gendarmerie, small hospital, post office, banks, weather station, Air Tahiti office, pensions, restaurants and snack bars, stores and shops, telephones and TV. There is a Catholic mission with a boarding school and a Protestant church.
A path up the cliffs behind the village leads to Calvary Cemetery. Here are the simple graves of two men who chose the Marquises as their final home and resting place the French painter Paul Gauguin and Belgian singer Jacques Brel.
Points of interest
Sightseeing highlights include a visit to Puamau Village, where Gauguin descendents live. In the steamy jungle above the village is the Oipona me'ae temple and the 8-ft. tall tiki Takaii, the largest stone tiki in Polynesia. Several other stone carvings adorn this quiet spot. Visit the very picturesque village of Hanaiapa; the petroglyphs carved in stone in Eiaone and Punai; the me'ae temple and black sand beach of Taaoa and the pretty bays of Nahoe and Hanamenu.
Hotel in Hiva Oa
Pensions in Hiva Oa |
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Orange Festival in Tahiti
The city of Punauia will host the feast of the orange on the 26th and 27th June. This city is considered as the Orange stronghold of Tahiti.
26/06/2010 8:57:46 a.m.
Ukulele festival in Tahiti !
The ukulele is an instrument that appeared in the late 19th century. It was first introduced by the Portuguese and Spanish immigrants on the islands of Hawaii.
The third Ukulele Festival which took place in Tahiti ended Saturday night. About 20 persons joined together to attend the event.
23/06/2010 11:41:36 a.m.
Vanilla in the sky…
Air Tahiti Nui has launched the operation “Tahitian Vanilla Flavor” and offers during the week of June 15th to 19th original menus based on the famous Tahitian vanilla for passengers of all classes, thirteen flights to Tahiti.
10/06/2010 2:12:27 p.m.
Welcome to the Heiva 2010 !
The 128th Heiva I Tahiti opened on the 5th of June in the Paofai gardens of Papeete.
8/06/2010 8:34:07 a.m.
A human beat box in Tahiti !
Chris Sullivan, a New-Yorker beat boxer, known as « Shockwave », arrived on May 24th in Tahiti.
28/05/2010 9:23:50 a.m.
5 Essential Tahitian Honeymoon Tips
Practical tips for getting the most out of your honeymoon in Tahiti including: when to go, what to do and how to pack appropriately.
25/05/2010 3:59:02 a.m.
4,000 Years of Pearl Fashion History in 5 Minutes
Pearls have been highly sought after and treasured throughout the ages and among cultures spanning the globe. Here's a quick summary of pearl fashion history from the royal courts of ancient Egypt to modern day fashion runways.
23/05/2010 7:37:19 a.m.
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