Part 2: A Walk Around Avea Bay: Huahine, French Polynesia
Postcard From Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
So what lies ahead on this road? When we visit a new place, taking walks to explore the neighborhood is always high on our list of priorities, so that question is often on our lips. Last week I wrote about our walk to the ancient ruined temple of Marae Anini. We had a goal on that walk, as we knew that the marae was there, but on the walk I'm writing about here, we walked in the opposite direction from the marae, with the pure and simple goal of exploring and enjoying the surroundings. We did know that there was a lookout point along the way, as our driver from the airport had pointed it out to us.
Deserted Road, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Once again we did not have much competition on the road – either from cars or people. We did encounter a couple of dogs who seemed quite bored with us judging by their looks.
A black dog on Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
A tan tog on Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Avea Bay, Huahine was never far from our sight, because the road hugged the bay for as far as we walked. In fact, this is the main road that rings both the island of Huahini-Iti and also Huahini-Nui to the north. In a future post I will write about our road trip around both islands of Huahini.
Avea Bay, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Avea Bay, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
From this vantage point we could look back on our resort Hotel Le Mahana across the lagoon. The grass looked so inviting that I sat down. It was incredibly spongy though – like sitting down on moss!
Myself taking a rest beside Avea Bay, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Avea Bay, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
We encountered a few interesting signs. This TABU sign clearly indicates do not enter, so we respected the owner's wishes. It was quite tempting to jump the rope and check the view, but we knew we would have ample opportunity for that on our walk.
Do Not Enter Sign, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Are these giant leeks? Somehow, I don't think so, but what are they? Please let me know if you know what they are!
Unknown Plants, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
The wall of hibiscus was easy to identify, but I don't know what the yellow flower is. Does anyone know? Please let me know if you do!
Hedge of hibiscus flower, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Unknown Yellow Flowers, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
The bananas, coconuts and papaya were easy to identify, but there is one mysterious fruit or seed pod that has me stumped. What is it? Please help if you can! I would much appreciate it!
Banana Tree, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Coconut Tree, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Papaya Tree, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Unknown Giant Seed Pod, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Just past this area we came upon the lookout point, a beautiful little oasis where you can stop to rest on your walk. The villagers of Ha'apu, just along the coast a little way, designed and created this little bit of paradise in order to show the pride they have in their community. It was a great spot to stop, have a drink of water, and to simply admire the scenery.
Lookout Point Near Ha'apu, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Lookout Point Near Ha'apu, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Lookout Point Near Ha'apu, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Lookout Point Near Ha'apu, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Jim At Lookout Point Near Ha'apu, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Lookout Point Near Ha'apu, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
I don't think Our Homeowners' Association would allow this decoration on the outside of our home! But I'm sure people don't have to deal with such restrictions in French Polynesia!
Wooden Sculptures Of People, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
There was still not a soul to be seen on the road on the way back to the Hotel Le Mahana.
Empty Road, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Although this sign was prominently displayed, we saw no more dogs on our return walk!
Beware Of Dog Sign, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Isn't this a cute mailbox? I bet it makes the mail carrier smile! Again, our Homeowners' Association would not permit us to be so creative with a mailbox!
Creative Mailbox, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
I noticed that all throughout the islands that no matter how modest the home, the grounds were always so beautifully landscaped. Even things like abandoned wheelbarrows or a fallen coconut seemed to add a design element to the scene.
Modest Home And Landscaping, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
Abandoned Wheelbarrow, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
A Fallen Coconut, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
I'm not sure what this is. It looks as if it may be a small fruit or souvenir stand, or simply a storage shed.
Mystery Structure, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
So, what on earth is this? Well, some creatures scurried into the various holes as we walked by. I caught a glimpse of one of them just before he disappeared almost entirely. However, if you look closely you will see part of him in one of the holes just before he disappeared altogether! He was a terrestrial or fiddler crab, which makes its home on the edge of the beach area or by the roadside, as long as it is far away from the high tides. These crabs are quite a common sight scurrying about at the roadside in French Polynesia.
Fiddler Crab, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
And before we knew it, we were back at Hotel Le Mahana before the afternoon rain came!
Hotel Le Mahana, Huahine: © Diane Macdonald - All Rights Reserved
I hope you enjoyed walking with me to the Lookout Point on Huahine-Iti; if so you may want to check out my other posts in this series:
- French Polynesia – A State Of mind
- Moorea French Polynesia – First Impressions And The Resort
- Moorea - French Polynesia – Bali Hai
- French Polynesia – Next Stop Huahine
- 7 Things To Do At Hotel Le Mahana
- 4 Walks From Hotel Le Mahana – Part 1