What amazing evenings were had in our last few nights in the little village of this Tuomotu Kauehi. Our cruiser friends on sailboats Infinite Grace and First light gathered in a sandy patch near their concrete dock for happy hour and a visit. Poona, a local 18 year old sat down with us: so happy to jam on his guitar. Entertaining. We passed around the guitar and Ukulele with big smiles. Learning play instruments.
Shopping for French baguettes, in one of two small markets in Village Kauehi, we noticed the next door neighbors vegetable garden. It’s very unusual to find a vegetable garden in the Tuomotus, as there is only sandy soil. This family had rows of plants of tomato, eggplant, beans and pumpkin. Chicken and pig fertilizer helps in any garden. We quickly made friends, bought lettuce, bok choy, watermelon and bananas, first fresh food in 6 weeks. We suggested to this darling village family sharing a meal together. They were thrilled. So, 12 of us planned, cooked and dined together in their simple, half outdoor home. They surprised us with beautiful white pulmera lei’s, pumpkin jelly in coconut milk, curry chicken and a chocolate pie. Table talk was tricky, with 3 languages: French. English. Tuomotu. It is very interesting learning of the local small island culture. Languages. Education. Polynesian history. Pearl farming, and more. This is the first year in a few that any of these islands have seen cruising boats, since Covid. Many ports were shut down for any cruisers entering this French country.
