Even though we were aware of French Polynesia we hadn't realised quite how extensive it is. It stretches from the Marquesas through the Tuamotos taking in Tahiti and the Society Islands and then the Austral Islands. It's a vast area. We have learnt from the Caribbean that being part of France can be good for the locals, certainly by comparison with the non French islands. For the yachties it is brilliant! In the Caribbean many yachts plan their westward passage around a re-provisioning stop in Martinique - even if this means backtracking to the north from Grenada. Here in the Marquesas we lunch on pâté and camembert with fresh baguettes, and could be drinking fine French wine if we could afford it. This is reputed to be the most expensive food shopping in the world and if it hasn't been grown locally the prices feel like it! How the locals afford to shop is a mystery but presumably free range chicken, goats and abundant fruit form the staple diet. Apart from visiting yachts, the odd cruise ship and a lot of government employment it is difficult to square the level of good, albeit basic, infrastructure and the lack of poverty with the amount of economic activity that we can see. There must be considerable support from Tahiti and presumably Paris - to an extent that would baffle most British taxpayers. One thing that we have come to appreciate is that for many people in the world the present is inextricably linked to a colonial past. The French seem to acknowledge this. We can only judge by what we see (and still need to research but sadly good wifi is not one of the better French influences) and from our observations being French is good for the wellbeing of those who have been subjugated but then incorporated.
Recently the flags in the Marquesas have been at half mast - a mark of respect for the victims of the appalling event in Manchester.
Here in the Marquesas time is slipping by and we are enjoying these beautiful anchorages and tranquil life to the extent that we can see why people spend years rather than months out here. There are historical connections with these islands that are fascinating - Cook, Bligh, Gauguin, Robert Louis Stephenson, Herman Melville and that we would love to read about more if only the wifi was good enough. On the one hand we want beautiful solitude but on the other life without the Internet is frustrating. I have a feeling that our experiences on this voyage will seem rather fleeting when we get back and put them all into perspective. Hopefully we will still have the photographs.
