Atuona is the main city on Hiva Oa which is well known for being the home to the Paul Gauguin museum as well as the cemetery for Paul Gauguin and Jaques Brel. As we visited these sites when we came here a number of years ago, we were only stopping to just get a few supplies. There are only about 3 stores and about 5 souvenir and supply shops in the town. There is also a bank, post office and police station.
I ran over to the bank which was closed but which fortunately had some bank machines. After pulling out some money we were able to go to the main grocery store on the main street of town. At the grocery store we purchased the last 5 baguettes along with some cheese, tomatoes and Milo (chocolate powder made from barley). As we were leaving the owner of the store saw our large family and was so kind and welcoming. She insisted that we each take a half baguette sized sandwich for each of us and even gave a glowing bouncy ball to Zakary. She said that she too has 7 children. I’ve been told she is always very kind and generous. We sat down outside the Air Tahiti office in the shade to enjoy our sandwiches. As we were eating we had another couple approach us and introduce themselves. They went on to tell us all about the island and things that we should do. They also told us about the valley they live in on the other side of the island. They informed us that we could provision ourselves with lots more fresh water from a natural spring over there and that there were tons of fresh fruit that we could help ourselves to in the valley. They also informed us that they would show us around if we take our boat to that side of the island and so we added that to our upcoming plans.
As we were finishing up a friend of this couple came along with his truck and after a short conversation he offered to return us back to our boat instead of us having to walk all the way back. We crammed into his 5 passenger pickup truck (all 9 of us plus the driver) in the front (for the past 4 years they now outlaw riding in the back of pickup trucks) for a drive back to our boat.
Sounds like you are enjoying your visit to Hiva Oa, and are meeting some wonderful people. ENJOY!!
Isn’t it a wonderful feeling returning to the places you’ve visited as tourists but can now explore at your leisure as true travellers?
Is Hiva Oa the same kind of rugged volcanic island as Ua Pu and Nuka Hiva? How have the kids enjoyed their boar hunt? Have you been to church there yet? Are the pamplemousse as delectable as we remember them. Questions, questions, questions. I love your blogs and wish you told us even more.