Land Activities in Hiva Oa
Hiva Oa is the largest of the southern Marquesas
Islands and a treasure trove for culture-seekers. Aside from being
the final resting place of the famous French painter Paul Gauguin,
it boasts an archaeological site with stone sculptures unmatched
outside of Easter Island.
From the main village of Atuona it is a short walk to the Calvary
Cemetery where two very famous champions of Hiva Oa are buried:
Gauguin and the Belgian singer Jacques Brel. The cemetery affords
a beautiful view over Taaoa Bay (better known as Traitors' Bay).
Gauguin's work can be seen at the little museum in the village,
and his famous "House of Pleasures" has been replicated to welcome
visitors. A monument to Jacques Brel sits near the islands small
air strip, as does the Beechcraft airplane he used to bring supplies
back to the island's inhabitants.
 On
a 4-wheel drive and hiking excursion you can discover Hiva Oa's
important archaeological sites including mea'e Oipona. Oipona is
one of the most impressive sites in all of the Marquesas. Presided
over by a massive, 7-foot high stone tiki called Takaii, the mea'e
comprises two large paepae (stone platforms) with eighteen stone
sculptures and two petroglyph boulders. A visit to Oipona is part
of an excursion to beautiful Puamau Bay, in the northeast corner
of island. In the village of Puamau proper you can visit the tomb
of Queen Vahinetitoiana (the last queen of the archipelago). Her
sepulcher is guarded by two large stone tikis.
Or consider a half-day excursion to the Taaoa Valley, home to one
of the largest and most complete archaeological sites in Polynesia.
Archaeologists have partially restored the site. You can see the
remains of houses, a tohua (royal meeting site), several paepae
(stone foundations) and mea'e (maraes). A large tiki is believed
by scholars to have served as a surface for preparing human bodies
for burial after ceremonial sacrifice.
Take a boat ride to the neighboring island of Tahuata, where you'll
visit the charming village of Hapatoni. MonoĢ production is a specialty
of this tiny island. MonoĢ is made from coconut oil mixed with fragrant
flowers and is used as a moisturizer and hair conditioner.
 Like
all the Marquesas Islands, Hiva Oa is a horticulturist's dream.
Indigenous plants include pandanus, banyan trees, sugar cane, coconut
palms and ti plants. Many plants were introduced in the very earliest
Polynesian migrations, including breadfruit, chestnuts (mape), candlenut
and ubiquitous Polynesian flowers such as heliconia, Bougainvillea,
plumeria and Ylang-Ylang. Among the introduced fruits that grow
very well here are grapefruit, mango, papaya, vanilla, banana and
guava.
In Hiva Oa's villages you'll have ample opportunity to purchase
truly unique pieces of art. Marquesan artists are famous for their
carvings-in wood, stone and coral. Hand-painted tapa cloth and pareus
from these islands are distinctive in Polynesia. Or, if you would
like a permanent reminder of your journey, visit one of the many
talented tattoo artists on the island! |
