Wallis

Antoine's view

For the French kids who when children, used to collect stamps, especially, as I did, the stamps of what was -Overseas France-, the former French colonies, certain names will never get out of their memory : Saint Pierre & Miquelon, French Equatorial Africa, or Wallis and Futuna.
These two islands, one of them rocky, steep, shooting up from the ocean depths, the other one surrounded by a beautiful, welcoming lagoon, used to make a good stop for planes flying from Tahiti to New Caledonia: so one can go there even if one doesn't plan to sail the Pacific on a small sailboat.

One can find there spectacular sights, both on the main, hilly island and on the -motus- , very low islands in the lagoon. But also an impressive wealth of traditions; Wallis and Futuna still have three placid kings, churches and cemeteries decorated each morning with thousands of brightly coloured hibiscus flowers that echo the wonderful floral embroidery works, unique to Wallis, and the remarkable printed tapa cloth that is produced here.
Was famous French solo sailor Alain Gerbault charmed by Wallis?

Or was his long stay rather caused by the fact his boat had run aground in the island's lagoon?
I'd rather opt for the first cause, for the island is beautiful, and its men, women and children are always smiling.