My first impression about the island of Fatu Hiva is that it is an island totally disconnected from the rest of the world. My dream island that perfectly matches my weird imagination of a recluse living. As the ship approached the island, the grass covered mountains with heirds of goats grazing on it was a great view and down the valley, the small quiet and peaceful village of Omoa lies.
M/S Paul Gauguin dropped anchor in the bay of Omoa first before heading to the bay of Hanavave early in the afternoon. Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to go out in Omoa but I managed to sneak out in Hanavave after my watch. Navigation to the bay of Hanavave from Omoa took about an hour at a speed of only 5 knots with the ship sailing as close as possible to the island allowing guests on board to view every bit of the island's breathtaking scenery. It was really great and so wonderful to see the beauty of nature at close range in this very remote island right in the middle of the South Pacific ocean.
Fatu Hiva Island is ideal for hiking, infact some of my ship colleagues did not went back to the ship when we sailed from Omoa to Hanavave. In groups, they took a 4-hour walk over the mountains from Omoa and meet the ship in Hanavave. That was really an interesting and exciting experience isn't it? Hopefully, I can do mountain hiking too. My big thanks to Gaelle Sokolik, one of M/S Paul Gaugin's lovely and friendly receptionist who went there for the hiking. She's that pretty face behind the mountainous backdrop.
This is the small village of Hanavave in the island of Fatu Hiva, the southernmost of the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia.
The village is surrounded by mountains with only one road linking to the village of Omoa. With only very few inhabitants, people dwell a very quiet, peaceful and healthy living. The village has a small church and a primary school. There is no hotel in the area, but travelers can stay for the night in the friendly homes of villagers. At first, I could not believe that people in Fatu Hiva Island accommodate travelers to their homes for the night. But during my conversation with the locals of the village, it is now clear to me that travelers can safely retire for the night in the homes of the villagers. Fatu Hiva Island is ideal for hiking too, infact some of my ship colleagues did not went back to the ship when we sailed from Omoa to Hanavave. In groups, they took a 3-hour walk over the mountains from Omoa and meet the ship in Hanavave. That was really an interesting and exciting experience isn't it? Hopefully, I can have that 3-hour mountain hiking too.
Though the island is very remote, people of Fatu Hiva Island are hooked up to the rest of the world through television and telephone facilities. Almost every home, if not all, that I passed by during my short walk has a satellite disk mounted on top of the roofs or mounted in their backyards.
The place has enough rain and fertile soil ideal for vegetation. Bananas and citrus fruits were grown abundantly in Hanavave. In fact when I went back to the ship, I have bananas and citrus fruits contained in a plastic bag I acquired free of charge from the villagers. I would surely miss this place and its people's hospitality.
People in the village produced excellent wooden handicrafts for souvenirs. These handicrafts went on sale along the roads and at the pier. The price maybe higher at first but if you are good in bargaining, you can have the souvenir item at the lowest price. As I walk further, I saw handicrafts vendors displaying souvenir items in roadsides. And as a souvenir of the place, I have some photos taken with the vendors. Though they don't speak English much clearly, my sign language worked pretty well.
There is no airport in Fatu Hiva Island but both villages, Hanavave and Omoa have their own pier. A cargo ship comes to the island with shipments of goods from time to time. Unlike the pier of Omoa, the small pier of Hanavave is sheltered from fresh winds and swells allowing a better and more convenient embarkation and disembarkation of guests especially the elderly ones.
The natural beauty of the place and its friendly inhabitants are the most appealing thing to every travellers. Despite the fact that Fatu Hiva Island is remotely situated, passionate travellers seeking a great place to experience natural beauty and isolation will certainly end up lurking around this island.
My first impression about the island of Fatu Hiva is that it is an island totally disconnected from the rest of the world. My dream island that perfectly matches my weird imagination of a recluse living. As the ship approached the island, the grass covered mountains with heirds of goats grazing on it was a great view and down the valley, the small quiet and peaceful village of Omoa lies.
Fatu Hiva Island is ideal for hiking, infact some of my ship colleagues did not went back to the ship when we sailed from Omoa to Hanavave. In groups, they took a 4-hour walk over the mountains from Omoa and meet the ship in Hanavave. That was really an interesting and exciting experience isn't it? Hopefully, I can do mountain hiking too. My big thanks to Gaelle Sokolik, one of M/S Paul Gaugin's lovely and friendly receptionist who went there for the hiking. She's that pretty face behind the mountainous backdrop.
The village is surrounded by mountains with only one road linking to the village of Omoa. With only very few inhabitants, people dwell a very quiet, peaceful and healthy living. The village has a small church and a primary school. There is no hotel in the area, but travelers can stay for the night in the friendly homes of villagers. At first, I could not believe that people in Fatu Hiva Island accommodate travelers to their homes for the night. But during my conversation with the locals of the village, it is now clear to me that travelers can safely retire for the night in the homes of the villagers. Fatu Hiva Island is ideal for hiking too, infact some of my ship colleagues did not went back to the ship when we sailed from Omoa to Hanavave. In groups, they took a 3-hour walk over the mountains from Omoa and meet the ship in Hanavave. That was really an interesting and exciting experience isn't it? Hopefully, I can have that 3-hour mountain hiking too.
People in the village produced excellent wooden handicrafts for souvenirs. These handicrafts went on sale along the roads and at the pier. The price maybe higher at first but if you are good in bargaining, you can have the souvenir item at the lowest price. As I walk further, I saw handicrafts vendors displaying souvenir items in roadsides. And as a souvenir of the place, I have some photos taken with the vendors. Though they don't speak English much clearly, my sign language worked pretty well.
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