French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

Here we pass again through the already familiar narrow passage at the designated time.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

We managed to find a mooring place in a tiny harbor among corals. How people sailed without satellite systems in the past is absolutely incomprehensible. The passage is not more than five meters wide.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

The harbor proper is the size of an aquarium in a decent office, but one can swim there.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll
French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

Watch sea inhabitants.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

Find the most beautiful corals.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

In the coral reef, there are small houses on stilts.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll
French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

On the seaside, there are also quite a few charming structures made of palm leaves and straw (very convenient: if it’s blown off with the wind – just cut new leaves and a house is ready).

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll
French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

By the way, they use palm leaves not only to build houses but also to make pretty hats here.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll
French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

The locals travel either by pirogue, which is already habitual.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

Or by swimming with their stuff in a box.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

Tiny quiet cars and battery-powered scooters move across the island.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

The main business here, as well as everywhere on the archipelago, is pearl farming (in the picture, you can see nets on which they place oysters).

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

And collecting seashells which are used to make pearl buttons and buckles.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

You’d better walk away from the places where seashells are drying and the farther the better, as the smell is so strong that the eyes water.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

It’s better with supplies here than at Manihi atoll, though there’s only one store, the choice is wider.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

The vessel delivers foodstuff as often as twice a week.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll
French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

However, they sell bread – baguettes – on reservation only. The sign says “Reserve your bread before 10:30 there is no more bread surplus.”

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

The locals will be happy to offer you freshly caught fish.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

In the evenings, the locals play petanque and arrange male and female championships.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll
French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

At the store, we saw a funny device for making copra.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

In Apataki, there are repair shops where you can hoist a yacht and, if necessary, leave it there till the next season. The manager’s name is Tony. You can find him on Tamaru island.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

At parting, we gave the local kids a ball that we found in Martinique.

French Polynesia, the Tuamotu Archipelago: Apataki Atoll

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