French Polynesia is well known for its beautiful flowers, and they have been especially notable here in Gambier, as we are here during the summer.
After every rainfall, there is a magnitude of flowers that bloom almost immediately. We can walk down a street enjoying the flowers one day, then have some rain, only to find a totally new set of flowers the following day as the sun comes out again.
The women use flowers to decorate themselves with, and we have learned that which side of the face you place them is important. Placed on the left side of the face, means you are “occupied” – ie have a partner. Placed on the right side, means that you are open for courtship.
The French Polynesian women are really god at making intricate flower decorations and head pieces. Valerie, our local friend who sometimes hosts bbq parties at her house, invited the women at the anchorage to her house for a flower crown lesson, and the admiral paddled eagerly over to join the session.
Of course there are ways for the men to decorate themselves with flowers as well. The captain is especially creative!
We experience flowers in almost every shade of the rainbow. Here’s a gallery of just a few of the diversity of flowers we have seen during our time here.
