Our Plan
We reconnoitered the town of Atuona but it is very small and everything closes from 11:30 to 1:30 each day so in one day, you pretty much have it.
The setting, however, is truly spectacular. Behind the town a mountain rises up to 2500 feet and is always topped with a cloud. The hillsides are lush and defy the initial impression we got as we sailed by the island. Hibiscus is everywhere as is coconut, mango, lime, breadfruit, and hundreds of other plants and flowers we could not name.
Everyone smiles. There is no prettier smile than the round brown face of the Polynesians with their big brown eyes. We have never walked all the way from the marina to town. A car or pick-truck will stop and offer a ride. Many speak no English (and my French is meager at best) and tipping is considered a minor insult.
Asking for help or directions elicits a immediate positive response and extra people show up to add their input. Of course unless you can find someone who speaks a little English it becomes a bit of an play but that’s always fun anyway.
Is it paradise? I can’t say exactly, but it must be close.
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