I completed the “formalities” this morning. My transit papers were accepted and my passport was stamped. Although I will not likely use all the time, I can stay in French Polynesia for three months beginning today. When I got back to the boat, I replaced the yellow Q flag with the flag of French Polynesia. The flag features two red horizontal bands on top and bottom, enclosing a wider white band in the center. The emblem of French Polynesia, a stylized canoe with the sun above and waves below, is centered on the white band. The canoe represents the Polynesian way of life, and the sun and waves symbolize the natural environment. Five stars in the emblem represent the five archipelagos of French Polynesia. Yesterday at sunset, while waiting for a ride, I sat on the dock and watched five men paddle a big white sea-going canoe into the marina.
