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| A delicate dance between two powerful cultures plays out over the centuries in French Polynesia. |
…the 300 guest m/s Paul Gauguin is a very special cruise designed for a place like no other. It's not just that the ship spends a lot of time in outrageously beautiful settings. There's much more to it. Right now we're at anchor off Tehuata, in the Marquesas. When pictures can't capture the lush ambiance how can words?
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| French Polynesia consists of 5 distinct island groups, the Marquesas among the most far-flung. Paul Gauguin ascribed to Marquesan artists "an unheard of sense of decoration" in all they created. |
The sea: undulating blue velvet, in dramatic contrast with the day-glo turquoise of the Tuamotus atolls, our last port of call. The land: brocade of greens draped across steep crags soaring into clouds. Fragrance of fruit and flowers, gentle waves create lace edging against volcanic rock, someone is playing gently on a guitar.
It all adds up to one word: exotic.
Exotic but authentic. Remote but real. Down to earth in paradise is where we've spent the day. Not just a sail by, a personal interaction with ebullient and beautiful people who are almost never visited by a cruise ship, but sure know how to put on a show. All ages turned out to greet us with leis and singing. I got a really good dancing lesson from a 5 year old. Though I rarely buy local crafts, there was no resisting the bone carvings, offered with pride, no hard sell here.
Thanks to the Paul Gauguin it's possible to interact with the inhabitants of such an isolated and unspoiled port and yet return to the ship for champagne lunch without the feeling of worlds colliding awkwardly.
That's partly because of the unique nature of French Polynesia itself, and partly because the people of "The Paul" take their mission so seriously and accomplish it so gracefully.
More on that interesting story later, including an introduction to a cast of characters you really must meet in person, aboard ship!
Come with me to escape the winter chill - or the summer heat!
It all adds up to one word: exotic.
Exotic but authentic. Remote but real. Down to earth in paradise is where we've spent the day. Not just a sail by, a personal interaction with ebullient and beautiful people who are almost never visited by a cruise ship, but sure know how to put on a show. All ages turned out to greet us with leis and singing. I got a really good dancing lesson from a 5 year old. Though I rarely buy local crafts, there was no resisting the bone carvings, offered with pride, no hard sell here.
That's partly because of the unique nature of French Polynesia itself, and partly because the people of "The Paul" take their mission so seriously and accomplish it so gracefully.
More on that interesting story later, including an introduction to a cast of characters you really must meet in person, aboard ship!
Come with me to escape the winter chill - or the summer heat!
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| The Tuamotu Atolls contrast with the soaring Marquesas - perfect water temperature year round, great fishing. |
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