French Polynesia - Huahine: The Wildest Island...

We arrive at the tiny airport in Huahine on December 30th, where we are met by Laure (another Laure) and Nico. It turns out that they are on their own round the world of sorts, La Reunion, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, New Zealand and back to La Reunion before returning home. Laure is a vet and has found work as a replacement vet in all these French Departments or Territories. On the day we arrive we find out to Mike's delight that the house is basically right in front of the Fare pass. We stroll down the beach front to the town where we meet Smitty, a surfer who lived a long time in Hawaii, and his wife Jocelyn, who both run the boat and kayak rental place in town. Mike's really happy to not only meet a fellow surfer, but also to speak English! On our way back to the house, we bump in the town doctor and his wife and sit down to join them for a sunset drink... then change our minds pretty swiftly and decide to go home as we have now discovered why Huahine is the "wildest" island in French Polynesia...we feel like we are litterally being eaten alive by mosquitoes and did not go out for our stroll equipped with deet! A mistake never to be repeated.

The next day, Laure and Nico take us on a tour of the Huahine Nui sites (there are two islands: Huahine Nui (Big) and Huahine Iti (Small)).

Archaelogical site of a "Marae, a social or religious gathering place

Sacred blue-eyed eels

Violinist Crabs

Poynesian Fish Traps

In the evening, we have a cocktail at the new Lapita Hotel, the old Bali Hai, to celebrate the New Year. Laure and Nico end up coming to find us to join them at their New Year's Eve party with some Polynesian friends. We have a great meal which is followed by an evening of singing, guitars, yukelele, back to back spoons (works as an instrument when you know how!) with all generations joining in.

Lapita Hotel (Old Bali Hai), right opposite the Fare Pass

Hannah & Thomas, our New Year's Eve hosts

Thomas & Hannah's aunt

Music all night long!

Thomas's sister

The next morning, We start the New Year as we mean to continue it...with a run first thing in the morning, and hear some amazing voices as we run by the church.