04 - Futuna

It is said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Fruit is (or should be) a major part of one's diet, dairy products are important, and of course we all know that chocolate is one of the major food groups. Put all that together, and we have "Fluffy Banana Pancakes with homemade custard and dark chocolate sauce".
What better way to start the day? Madam had Eggs Benedict. :-)

There is no all-weather anchorage at Futuna, because, unlike Wallis, it has no outer fringing reef to give protection. There are reefs, but they are very close to the shore. Consequently we anchored in the channel between the main island of Futuna and the small island of Alofi. It was right across from the airport cut into the side of a hill that services 3 Twin Otter flights a week to Wallis. Seems like something I could handle - wonder if they need a controller?

After breakfast, we all got into the Xplorer for the trip ashore. This was via a very narrow channel that the Xplorer could only attempt at high tide (See below). We had to go back via the Zodiacs.

What a welcome! Watch the video to see what it entailed. Just magic.

Above: Sue with some of the most delicious pineapples we've ever tasted! (Photo: AP)

Above: I'm trying to find out what sort of lime this young lady used in making the drink we were having as it was really tasty. (Photo: AP)

After all the welcome ceremonies were over, we boarded a mixture of vehicles for a trip to the village of Poi on the North-East side of the island. This was over a very winding, steep and narrow road that crossed the island's mountainous spine.

Left: We opted for the minibus (air-conditioned!), while others including Asha, our expedition leader, went for the back of one of the utes.
Right: Our local guide was back on the island for the Christmas holidays from studying nursing in New Zealand. He was very informative.
Below: With just about all activity on the island being within a few hundred metres of the surf, it's not surprising to get a bit of surface rust on the vehicles. I'm sure it will just buff out...

Left: Local handicrafts on display.

Right: As this was originally a society that carried out canibalism, we were shown the fire pit of volcanic rock where they used to dispose of failed leaders.

Right: The current Catholic church where we were given details of the life and death of Peter Chanel. It looks like it's built to withstand a cyclone! It's next door to the impressive Basilica.
Below: Inside the very impressive Basilica

Left: The Basilica to the island's own saint - Peter Chanel. Chanel was murdered in April 1841 on the orders of a local king who thought that Christianity was undermining his authority. Chanel was declared a martyr and beatified in 1889. He was canonized on 12 June 1954 by Pope Pius XII. Chanel is recognized as the protomartyr and patron saint of Oceania. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Chanel)

Above: A really delightful scene along the coast of Futuna with the Basilica seemingly launching out of the jungle.

Below: Group photo of a really great group! Photo: AP?

Back to the ship for lunch, then off to the little island of Alofi. This was another piece of paradise. The island is uninhabited except for a lone hermit and his dog(s) who tends some vegetable gardens. However, the locals come across from Futuna for weekends and holidays, so there are shelters just up from the beach where we dropped our gear before getting ready to snorkel (again).

While the snorkelling was OK, we figured that there might be a better area nearer the point of the island, so it was suggested that we take the Xplorer and check out the conditions about 400m nearer the channel.

WOW, such a difference. See the video for what we saw!

Left: Tonight was the BBQ night on the Vista Deck above the Bridge. Once again, good company, good food and a half-way decent glass of wine while taking in a South Pacific sunset.
Below: Breakfast out on the deck behind the dining room. No banana pancakes today.

Left: Back ashore on the main island this morning to see a bit more of the surroundings. This time to see a meeting house and to try Kava for those who hadn't tried it before (we had, so declined).

Above: Landing at the boat ramp, this time in the Zodiac.

Above Right: The meeting house with fresh crushed coral on the floor.

Right: The Tanoa with Kava and a couple of coconut shells as common drinking vessels. How this was to be Covid-safe is a bit of a mystery, but the locals didn't seem perturbed. It seems that Kava ceremonies are common right through the Pacific Islands, not just Fiji.

Below: Église de Notre-Dame des Martyrs at Ono. There seems to be a Catholic church about every kilometer along the foreshore here. This was quite amazing inside.
Below Right: Stained glass windows inside.