Our friends had gone on a tour run by a tour guide named John. He had been running a tour operation for the tourists for over 29 years. It’s funny how things happen at the washing stations. Like in those old stories where women gather at the well or at the river to wash clothes. Well, the washing station by the dinghy dock in Atuona, Hiva Oa was the place to be seen and to see. It was there that I ran into John who was looking to add more people on his tour. Hakan and Helena who spoke excellent English joined us on the tour next day.

One of the first stops we made was on a hill with several mango trees. On the ground were several freshly dropped ripe mangoes. John, our tour guide, picked up several nice mangoes, expertly sliced them with his machete and handed us the sweet morsels to try. Soon after, we searched and picked up several good mangoes on the ground.

We stopped at many beautiful vistas and Tiki sites.

We inquired John about where we an buy some pomplemousse, the famed fruit of the Pacific. First he gave us samplings that he brought from his home and told us hat we can stop by a farm where many fruits can be bought.

After we got off the truck, we started walking on a path following John. He stopped by a tree near the entrance and handed us star fruits to try. By this time we were all totally entranced by the fruits of this island.

We stopped by a postcard picture perfect beach. The waves of Puamu bay was breaking on to the black volcanic rock beach while the coconut trees swayed in the foreground. John started unloading table settings and pots and bowls of food. The lunch menu consisted of chicken with green peas over rice, poisson Cru, bananas and water. All were very delicious especially in such idyllic setting. Poisson Cru is raw fish marinated in lime juice, coconut milk with cucumbers.