After a night at anchor, we woke up in front of the main village of Rotoava. In the Tuamotu, the mornings are bright, and the sun seems to rise earlier because there are no mountains. After breakfast, we headed to the wharf and were welcomed by the sound of local drums. Local artisans displayed their products, most of which were made of pearls and shells. Such handcrafts are typical on these islands.
Three activities were offered to guests: a cultural tour, a bike ride, and a nature walk. Guests enjoyed glimpses into the life shared by so many islanders in this part of the world, on these small strips of land between the ocean and the lagoon.
In the afternoon, National Geographic Orion relocated to the neighboring island of Toau. We ended the day by snorkeling from the platform. We had the reef to ourselves in the middle of the lagoon.
