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Tahuata, with only 19 sq. miles of land, is the
smallest populated island in the Marquesas. Separated from Hiva Oa by a channel one-mile wide, Tahuataís history has
been varied and often grim. It was in Vaitahu Bay that Mendana anchored in
1595 and named the island group Las Marquesas. Following Capt. James Cookís
visit in 1774, Vaitahuís harbor was named Resolution Bay.
This village also received the first Protestant and
Catholic missionaries, and the first Marquesan church was built here. And it
was at Vaitahu that the French took possession of the Marquesas,
establishing a garrison in 1842.
Tahuataís inhabitants live a quiet life today,
working peacefully in their verdant valleys, raising agricultural products;
bananas or sweet potatoes, making copra and fishing in the rich waters
surrounding the island.
There is no airport and boat day in Tahuata is a
main event, when the copra ship arrives with food and supplies. Vaitahu is
the main village, with a town hall, post office, dispensary, big cathedral
and primary school. The population of the entire island was only 633 in the
1988 Census. Points of interest
- HAINA KAKIU mini
museum at the Vaitahu Mairie.
Monument commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Marquesan chief
- IOTETE commemorating the French Admiral Du Petit
Thouars
- Hapatoni village, with its sea front road paved with stones and
shaded by tamanu trees. Sights are:
- Stone petroglyphs in Hanatehau valley,
- Archaeologic site in Hanamiai valley and
- beautiful white sand beach of Hanamoenoa
For
more general information
on French Polynesia, go to: |
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We have included French Polynesia
in some of our specials to the South Pacific, eg. our Kontiki
Voyage
and South
Sea Dream Voyage. Another option is to create your own package to French Polynesia by utilizing the seperate travel components, like hotels,
flights and excursions
on the islands.
For a legal wedding the legal requires
in French Polynesia that you remain at least 30 days in French Polynesia
before the marriage. In practice this means you may only have a ceremonial
wedding in French Polynesia (see also Tiki
Village).
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