One of my favorite islands is Fatu Hiva, or sometimes spelled Fatuiva. The Aranui stops at two villages here - Omoa and Hanavave. Each is unique in their cultural specialties and there are several demonstrations and plenty of great tapa and carvings to purchase for souvenirs. There is also an incredible hike that you can take from Omoa across the peaks to Hanavave. Although my bad knee won't let me take this hike, I understand it's one most beautiful.
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| Captivating dancer at Hanavave, Fatu Hiva wearing traditional breadfruit tapa (barkcloth) headpiece |
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| Modern reproduction of a Tiki at Omoa, Fatu Hiva |
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| Peaks of the village of Omoa, Fatu Hiva - where they have many stories of Pere from Tahiti, or Pele the Fire Goddess who voyaged with her entourage to the Hawaiian Islands. |
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| Drying sweet local bananas in Omoa, Fatu Hiva |
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| Local bananas drying |
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| Making cloth from the inner bark of breadfruit tree branches |
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| Traditional breadfruit barkcloth |
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| Umuhei, or kumuhei, - an aromatic made of sandal wood, pineapples, and many different flowers and herbs |
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| U'u - decorative war club |
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| U'u - decorative war club |
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| Tuki popoi (pounders), container, and grinding stone |
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| Dried coconut for copra (which is made into palmitin for oils and cosmetics etc) |
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| Hanavave sunset, Fatu Hiva |
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| Hanavave sunset, Fatu Hiva |
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Stop back again for future adventure updates!
