French Polynesia in the South Pacific

So here we are having just arrived in French Polynesia yesterday morning.  It’s great to be on terra firma for a little while after our mammoth sail and I’m pretty chuffed with myself for having gotten through it all and not fallen overboard!!!!!  Thought I’d give you a little bit of information on where we are so you are up to speed with our journey.

French Polynesia is an overseas territory and consists of four island groups in the south east corner of Oceania:  the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, The Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands.  Thrillingly, we will be visiting 3 of these groups.  With the exception of the Tuamotu Archipelago which is composed entirely of low-lying atolls, except Makatea which is a raised atoll, the other groups are all high volcanic islands. 

No group of islands captures the spirit and romance of the South Seas more completely than those of French Polynesia. They have fertile coastal plains of volcanic ash for growing food and a protective barrier reef that shelters the inhabited shoreline, which provides a haven for fish as well as local outrigger transportation.  The natural environment, plus an intelligent people, created an enviable Pacific paradise supported by French financial aid.   Certainly as a Brit – we regard the South Seas as the ultimate faraway paradise and I am extremely excited to have the chance to visit so many of these beautiful islands and atolls – the luxury of cruising!

The islands came into prominence with the explorations of Captain Cook.  Although they were half a world away from Europe they were of little consequence until the ill-fated breadfruit expedition of Captain Bligh on HMS Bounty in 1788.  From then on, the islands were to become hosts to a multitude of explorers, whaling ships and missionaries. 

French and British rivalry backed up by naval forces, convinced the Tahitians that they would have to pledge loyalty to one or the other European powers for their own protection.  In 1843 France took formal possession of Tahiti and Moorea and during the remainder of the 19th century annexed all the islands of the Society, Marquesas, Tuamotu and Austral groups into what we now know as French Polynesia, with Tahiti as the Seat of Government, and as a result all the peoples of French Polynesia are known as Tahitians to the outside world.

So there you go, a little bit to digest – we are in the Marquesas Islands now and I’ll update you on them very soon!

Try not to think too much about us cruising around in this paradise, especially our New Zealand friends who are heading into Winter!  That was mean wasn’t it!!!