Fakarava, Tuamotu

Fakarava, Tuamotu Flag

French Polynesia

March 28, 2019

The shape of Fakarava Atoll is roughly rectangular; its length is 37 miles, and its width is 13 miles. Fakarava is an atoll even though you can "google" Fakarava Island and be taken to information concerning Fakarava. The difference between atoll and island is that atoll consists of a ribbon reef that nearly or entirely surrounds a lagoon. An island is a contiguous area of land totally surrounded by water. 

Cliff note version:

Atoll: an island of coral that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.

Island: any piece of land surrounded by water.

Now that we have had a small class in 6th grade geography, we can get on with the story.

 But first, I became intrigued with cloud formations as we were about to enter the Fakarava lagoon. 

 Surprised by a rainbow when you don't see rain clouds nor rain?

 On the ship's daily weather report, EVERY island was listed as 100% humidity. 

 Small boat going out Passe Gauae as we were going in.

Passe Nord Gauae (north pass) is the largest in French Polynesia. It let us get close enough to tender to Rotoava, the main village of Fakarava.

A note concerning the Fakarava visit. There were two tours available: scuba diving (not us) and a snorkel trip. Both descriptions warned of strong currents--been there done that at Tahiti so we chose just to go ashore.

There were rows of vendor tents but as can be seen, it wasn't too long. One must remember that the total population of Fakarava is 837 and we were at the main village called Rotoava. So the local turnout was not bad considering.

Orange building was a visitor center and the building in the background was a small museum as I recall.

 Vendors were not only friendly but had some real good items to sale.

 

We didn't stay too long as it was hot and humid. The boat in the background was our tender to take us back to the ship in the far background.
But wait. as hot as it was, Christine has a smug look on her face and what is that around her neck.?

 Christine found this unique shell necklace at one of the vendor tents. Handmade versus assembly line production so it was unique in and of itself.

 
 Was our onshore excursion a success? Face tells it all.