January 2014 in the Gambier (1/2)

We celebrate the new year on "Léon" – Dédé and Dom's boat – where Marc and Jane ( boat "Ratafia") are also part of the party. On the menu... Lobsters and cicadas freshly caught the night before on the flat.

Great theatrical discussions follow one another.... A very nice evening!!

We visit Ah-Tak and Ilona who have their house on the south coast of Mangareva. It's another little corner of paradise that is difficult to access. Ah-Tak is the maker of Va'a (Competitive canoes) who win practically all the races in Polynesia and many other countries...
1er private lesson for Philippe... from a distance it seems simple, But it's quite a technique to paddle efficiently without exhausting yourself.

It's time for lunch... Ah-Tak makes Philippe taste "fafaru" – a Tahitian specialty... fish that has macerated and rotted in seawater! Imagine the flavor and smell...
Ah-Tak eats it "greedily" while Philippe tries to swallow the first piece... He will not go further in the tasting!!

Visit Eric and Tina's pearl farm on a motu in the east of the Gambier Islands.
Two grafters work full-time. Each mother-of-pearl is opened meticulously, The bead is gently removed to insert a nucleus instead, around which the mother-of-pearl will continue to be trained. Each grafter opens the door 800 pearly per day. The dexterity and precision of the grafters is the key to obtaining beautiful pearls that sell for a high price..

The Motu de Tauna 1 hour east of Mangareva... one of our favourite places in the Gambier Islands.

A little exercise... board for Philippe, Kayaking for me...

The inhabitants of the motu: Terns of paradise or "gigi"