We had a fair amount of ocean to cover to reach Anaa, our first destination in the Tuamotus. This time allowed us to have our snorkel briefing, gather our snorkel gear, and then learn from undersea specialist Taylor about what we might discover in French Polynesia’s underwater world over the next ten days.
After a delicious lunch in the outdoor café, it was time for our first disembarkation and Zodiac ride to the wharf on Anaa. We were greeted by traditional song and dance from the residents along with refreshing coconut! There was also an opportunity to purchase some of Anaa’s beautiful, traditional crafts.
A highlight for many was experiencing one of French Polynesia’s traditional sports, javelin throwing. The activity is not quite the same as what we might be familiar with. The goal is to pierce a coconut on a pole about 9.5 meters high. After a demonstration from some of the residents, it was our turn to try. It was a lot harder than it looked, requiring a lot of technique, accuracy, and agility. Despite this, all who tried had a lot of fun!
We finished our time on Anaa with an optional visit to a village, where we learned how to weave palm fronds, or a short walk to a stunning, luminous jade lagoon, where we had the opportunity to take a well-deserved dip.
