Well this is the famous island. Gaugin lived here and died here. Jacques Brel lived here, died in Paris but is buried here. There is a Gaugin museum with reproductions of his paintings – the irony is that there is currently a Gaugin exhibition on in London. Gaugin’s house (a replica) which is on the site of the original one, is called the Maison de Jouir. They have politely translated it as house of joy – but jouir also means orgasm. I would imagine there are lots of books of post colonial literary theory discussing Gaugin’s attitude to the locals.

This island appears bigger and richer than the other islands where we have been. There is an army base – busy, just like all the shops, in unloading the stuff that came in on our boat. More crafty stuff – I have bought something small in each island – supporting the local economy you know – but may have to send a little parcel back from New Zealand – just warning Bob and Ruth .