A boat approachs the Bay Of Virgins on the island of Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas group. This northernmost chain of islands in French Polynesia contains some of the most striking island scenery in the world. These spectacular and relatively remote islands are best visited by boat as the flight from Papeete, Tahiti's capitol, is long and expensive. The Aranui, a modern cargo freighter, makes the trip every two weeks and has comfortable passenger accomodations. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Hawaiian Islands were first settled by Marquesans who travelled northwest in double-hulled voyaging canoes a thousand years ago in search of a respite from their overcrowded and strife-torn home islands.

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