After his activity Huahine Island, Patric FO5QS, will be mooving to Hiva Oa Island, IOTA OC - 027, Marquesas Islands and will be active as FO5QS.
He will operate on 160 - 70cm Bands, CW, SSB, Digital modes and also 6m EME.
Recent DX Spots FO5QS
DXCC Country - Marquesas Islands, FO5QS.
Hiva Oa Island
Hiva Oa Island is the second largest and most famous of the islands of the Marquesas archipelago. Getting here is not easy: the distance to the nearest mainland is just under five thousand kilometers, and to Tahiti - just under one and a half thousand. Nevertheless, the island of Hiva-Oa is a popular place for vacation. And travelers are attracted here not only by the pleasant climate and the opportunity to swim in the Pacific Ocean, but also by the beautiful nature and interesting sights of the island.
Hanakee Pearl Lodge, Atuona, Hiva Oa Island, Marquesas Islands. Author - Rita Willaert.
A bit of history
The Marquesan archipelago, including the island of Hiva-Oa, was discovered in 1595 by the famous navigator Alvaro Mendaña de Neira. However, for a long time Europeans were in no hurry to settle on the island. The reason was not only the remoteness of the Marquesas archipelago from civilization, but also the aggressiveness of the natives and endless wars between native tribes.
Hiva Oa Island, Marquesas Islands. Author - Scott.
Gauguin's final resting place
French painter Paul Gauguin is one of the most famous residents of the Marquesas Islands. It was on Hiva-Oa that the artist spent the last years of his life and here he painted many canvases that brought him world fame.
One of the most important sights of the island is the Paul Gauguin house in the center of Atuon. The house was restored in 1994 and now houses a museum.
Both floors of the building are constructed of bamboo. Above the front door are two inscriptions, “Be Mysterious” and “Be Happy”. And just above that is the inscription “House of Pleasure.” Here the artist and his young Tahitian wife lived the last two years: from 1901 to 1903. Gauguin led a bawdy life, not once clashed with the church authorities of Tahiti and Hiva-Oa, in his “House of Pleasure” he organized feasts with absinthe, which brought the artist sailors.
Despite his dismal poverty (fame came to Paul Gauguin only after his death) diseases, including leprosy, constant depression, it was on Hiva-Oa that the best works of the artist were written.
Not far from the House of Pleasure is Gauguin's grave. The painter, who glorified the nature, customs and beauty of the women of Oceania, was buried on a hillside with a mesmerizing view of the Pacific Ocean. A copy of one of Gauguin's sculptures adorns the tombstone.
Hiva Oa Island, Marquesas Islands. Author - Brian Lefevre.
Breathtaking landscapes of Oceania
The island of Hiva Oa is ideal for lovers of seclusion. With a population of less than 2,000 people, few hotels, the island has the added advantage of amazing scenery.
Here you can admire the steep cliffs and lush tropical vegetation, walk along the coast, where sandy beaches are replaced by rocky bays, admire Temetia, over the top of which fog often swirls.
It will be interesting to get acquainted with the customs of the locals. Many of them still live in traditional houses made of bamboo and wood. Aboriginal ancestors lived in similar buildings a hundred and two hundred years ago.
Some of the population is engaged in agriculture, while others work in hotels.
Entertainment on Hiva Oa Island
The island has good conditions for practicing various sports. You can go hiking, cycling or motorcycling, diving or mountaineering. Tourists are also offered horseback riding, as well as excursions to neighboring islands.
And, of course, you should try delicious Polynesian cuisine. There are many restaurants and cafes on the island, which offer rice, seafood, meat and fish dishes and, of course, amazingly delicious exotic local fruits.
The main attractions of the island
Apart from Gauguin's house, there are quite a few other interesting sites on the island. Most of the attractions are concentrated in the main town of the island - Atuon. This settlement is nestled on the shore of a picturesque lagoon, and it is worth a walk along its streets, which have changed little since the times when Paul Gauguin walked along them.
Auton has a restored Taoa temple, where local gods were once prayed to, and not far from the town, right in the rainforest, are sculptures made of basalt. These are cult figures worshipped by the native tribes.
In the east of the island there is another interesting object - the village of Kuamau. Here are preserved buildings on the sites of tribal meetings of Marae Indians, as well as cult wooden and stone sculptures of the Tiki people.
In general, people come to Hiva-Oa not for the sake of the excursion program. This corner of the world attracts travelers with its picturesque nature, unusual culture and opportunity for solitude.
Video Hiva Oa Island
