1/42: We watched the different groups practicing weeks before the festival (here Tahuata).
2/42: A French navy vessel played taxi and took the participants from Tahuata to Hiva Oa (about 200 people, a quarter of the population).
3/42: We had to hire our own transport and shared a fishing boat with other cruisers.
4/42: It was rough in the Bordelais channel between Tahuata and Hiva Oa (it got rougher, but we didn't dare to take pictures then...).
5/42: Our taxi (in the background the overfull anchorage of Atuona).
6/42: Energetic drumming welcomes us.
8/42: The arrival of the food is announced.
9/42: The meat and veggies from the underground ovens is carried to the venue.
10/42: No plastic at the buffet!
15/42: Pearls from the Gambier Islands.
16/42: The sexy group from Easter Island.
24/42: Ua Pou's controversial act: all are happy around the tiki (god statue).
25/42: The missionary commands the tiki to be taken down.
26/42: Soon the tiki is avenged and all are happy again.
27/42: Waiting for the next act.
28/42: A group from Tahiti.
32/42: Waiting for the bus on our second day (transport was chaotic).
33/42: Also most dancers have to walk up the steep path to the historic temple site.
37/42: The group from Mangareva shows the legend of their Christianisation...
38/42: ...and what good Catholics they still are.
39/42: The huge group of Nuku Hiva marches in...
40/42: ...and fills the place completely.
