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Takutea
is an uninhabited makatea (fossilise
coral reef) island with a total extension of approximately
1.2 square km, elevated some 3 to 4 metres above sea level.
It belongs to the island of Atiu under the jurisdiction of
the island's ariki (high chiefs) and the Atiu Trust. It is
left as a nature reserve. To go there one must obtain a visitor's
permit rarely granted, so sailing to Takutea is an adventure
for few privileged visitors only. According to legend, the
great navigator and alleged discoverer of Atiu, Mariri Tutu
A Manu, caught a white Ku (red snapper) and called
out "taku ku teatea" (my white snapper),
thus giving the island its name.
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The reef that surrounds the entire island without passage to
the sea makes landing quite a difficult task mastered best in
the company of experienced local companions. |
The
sea around Takutea is full of fish. Sea birds show our Atiuan
fisherman where to find the fish and they catch plenty on our
rough 16-mile cruise.
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Winding
our way through the dense Pukatea forest (Pisonia,
right)) we had to watch out not to disturb the Tavake (Red-tailed
Tropic Birds, centre) sitting on their eggs, the place was
riddled with them!
Bright
red hermit crabs (below left and centre) fought for the remains
of our coconuts when we had a rest under the shady canopy
of a Tau'unu tree (Messerschmidia, below right).
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