Day 464: January 7, 2025 – Tahuata, French Polynesia

The plan was for us to go to Hiva Oa, one of the smaller Marquesas Islands. But as we approached the island, the captain assessed that weather conditions (wind gusts and high swells) were not safe for a tender operation. So he cancelled that port and rerouted us to the smallest inhabited island, Tahuata, where conditions were much better for tendering.

Even though we were a last-minute unplanned arrival to their island, the residents of Hapatoni village greeted us with a warm welcome. Tattooing has a rich history in Polynesia. Designs are very intricate and often cover much of the body. This man greeted us when our tender arrived on shore.

With him was this adorable child who had some mad shell bugling skills.

This woman was alternating playing her ukulele (I think that’s what it was—not sure?) with using it as a drum.

This man holding his toddler during the performance stole the show.