| Gambier Islands | |
 | |
Location  | |
Flag  | |
| State | France |
|---|---|
| Surface | 31 km² |
| Inhabitants | 1.535 (2017) |
Gambier Islands (Îles Gambier or Archipel des Gambier) are a small group of islands in the French Polynesia.
To know
There are no ATMs or banks on the islands, so you need to bring enough French Polynesian Francs for the holidays. Locals only work for cash. You can exchange US dollars or euros for French Polynesian francs at the post office of Rikitea. Pensions sometimes accept credit cards, but it's good to make sure beforehand.
Geographical notes
They are located in the south-east of the archipelago of Tuamotu islands but generally considered an atoll separate from them both because of their culture and language (mangareva language), and because they are more closely related to Marquesas Islands from a morphological point of view. While the Tuamotu archipelago includes several coral atolls, the Gambier, in particular He ate, are of volcanic origin. Due to its proximity, Temoe Atoll is sometimes included in the Gambier Atoll.
Mangareva has a high central ridge that runs the entire length of the island. Here is the highest point of the Gambiers, Mount Duff, which rises to 441m along the southern coast of the island. The island has a large 24km diameter lagoon containing coral reefs whose fish and shellfish helped the ancient islanders survive much more successfully than neighboring islands without reefs.
When to go
At 23 degrees south, you'll find the subtropical climate more comfortable than the main ones Society Islands. The humidity is lower and the trade winds provide welcome relief. The climate is comparable to that of Hawaii.
Background
He ate it was once heavily forested and supported a large population that traded with other islands via canoes. However, excessive deforestation by the islanders between the 10th and 15th centuries resulted in the deforestation of the island, with disastrous results for the environment and the economy.
The first European to arrive in Mangareva was the British captain James Wilson in 1797 on the ship Duff. Wilson named the island group in honor of Admiral James Gambier, who had helped him equip his ship.
Mangareva and its dependencies in the Gambier Islands were ruled by a line of kings and later regents until the French they did not annex the islands in 1882.
Spoken languages
Speak French (or mangareviano) will be useful as very few locals speak English conversationally. Pension workers know very basic English and with a little French, you can get by. In case of an emergency, speak to the mayor and / or police officer, who will help you find someone who speaks English. Remember to say "goods" (thank you) is "dwarf" (see you later) after someone has helped.
Suggested readings
Manga Reva: The Forgotten Islands, by painter and author Robert Lee Eskridge (Bobbs Merrill; 1931), offers first-hand observations on the environment, peoples and traditions of He ate. Eskridge also wrote and illustrated a children's book about his visit to Mangareva: South Sea Playmates (Bobbs Merrill; 1933).
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
Other destinations
- Akamaru - It has a 19th century church.
- Aukena - Tourist island with a 19th century church and watchtower.
- He ate - The largest island of the atoll (8 km long and 15.4 km² in surface) and the only one developed for tourism, hosting more than half of the population of the entire archipelago. The largest village on the island, Rikitea, is the capital of the Gambier Islands.
- Taravai - Its archaeological sites are evidence of the inhabitants of the 10th century.
- Temoe - Atoll.
The following uninhabited islets also belong to the Gambier Islands: Angakauitai, Apou, Atumata, Gaius, Kouaku, Makapu, Makaroa, Manui, Mekiro, Motu-O-Ari, Motu Teiku, Papuri, Puaumu, Rumarei, Tarauru Roa, Tauna, Teauaone, Teauotu, Tekava, Tenoko, Tepapuri Tepu Nui, Teohootepohatu, Tokorua, Totengengie, Tuaeu, Vaiatekeue.
How to get
By plane
- Totegegie Airport (IATA: GMR). This domestic airport is located on one of the island's coral reefs He ate, about 9 km from the main town of Rikitea. From Papeete (IATA: PPT), Air Tahiti flight number VT951 departs at 05:40 and arrives at 11:05 and the same day return flight departs at 11:55 and arrives at Tahiti at 14:50. Air Tahiti flies weekly from Hao (IATA: HOI) e Tureia (IATA: ZTA). The airport is connected to Mangareva and its city Rikitea by taxi boat.
How to get around
The island's 27km bypass can be covered in 4-6 hours. It's a nice walk.
By car
There are no rental cars. Agree with your board to be picked up at the dock (after taking the ferry from the airport on the motu).
If you want to see one of the other islands in the group, ask your guesthouse to take day trips. Pension Moroi offers a great day trip to see many other islands.
What see
- Ruins of Rikitea (In the main village of He ate, Rikitea). Visitors will find a number of ruins. Among these archaeological finds are a convent, a triumphal arch, several watchtowers, a prison and a courthouse. These abandoned remains have been noted for their dark and eerie atmosphere.
- Rectorate of Rikitea (TO Rikitea). Across the path from the church of San Michele di Rikitea is a well-kept 140-year-old rectory, occupied by the parish priest.
- Cathedral of San Michele (TO Rikitea). Its historic neo-Gothic church was built on the eastern side of Rikitea between 1839 and 1848 by missionaries from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. The building measures 48m by 18m and reaches a height of 21m. It can accommodate 1,200 people and is three times the size of Notre Dame Cathedral in Papeete. It is the largest church in the South Pacific. It is built with coral limestone and coral lime plaster, imported by raft from the quarries of Tauna, Tekava and Kouaku. The two towers were built in 1847–48. The interior is richly decorated with mother of pearl. The altar has ornaments of beautiful engravings of oysters with mother of pearl beads, encased with black pearls.
What to do
- Enjoy a piece of the planet almost untouched by the modern world; the lagoon for example is wonderful!
- Visit a black pearl farm.
- Spend a day on a motu having a picnic.
- Visit the historic churches of the atolls.
- Snorkeling is great, and if there were diving the dives would be wonderful.
- Watch the stars at night.
- Hike around the entire island or to the top of Mount Duff, the only volcanic remnant of all the original volcanoes that made up the Tuamotu archipelago.
At the table
There are one or two restaurants in Rikitea. You can also eat in guesthouses (inform them in advance as they prepare enough food only for those who know they will come for dinner). Food in guesthouses is simple, tasty and plentiful, and you won't go hungry. Hospitality is moving.
Drinks
Despite the legacy of French nuclear tests in the nearby atoll of Mururoa, the water is drinkable and bottled water is available in small shops in the city. Many of the inhabitants, soil and groundwater have been tested for residual radiation by the government French and by Greenpeace. All results were negative for radionucleotides. There are no streams or surface wells, and all drinking water is collected by tapping from the rooftops, and therefore safe enough to drink.
TO Rikitea there are two small markets. One has a decent selection of spirits, but you will pay dearly for everything except the beer. A bottle of Absolut Vodka can be priced up to $ 100! If you want to have something specific for your trip, it is best to take it with you to save, because the prices too Papeete they are tall.
At night the guesthouses and small restaurants of Rikitea serve beer (Hirono). Prices are high, but reasonable given the remoteness of the islands.
Safety
The locals are friendly and delightful. Spread on lots of sunscreen and watch out for stonefish. An insect spray is recommended. The Europeans, and increasingly i North Americans, are less modest than the Polynesians. Dress appropriately: Public nudity is discouraged.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Gambier Islands
Commons contains images or other files on Gambier Islands
