Katiu is a coral atoll far out in the South Pacific ocean. We recently traveled there to visit the the black pearl farmers who make their living the Katiu's beautiful lagoon. Since Katiu has no airport the only way to get there is via a 350 mile boat ride. About once a week the cargo transport Hotu Maru travels to Katiu bringing much needed supplies and the occational traveler. We rode for 36 hours on the Hotu Maru, which means 'the money's is coming slowly' in Tahitian. The Hotu Maru is no cruise ship. Passengers must fend for themselves, finding some place on deck to sleep. There is no food service and they don't even provide you with water (you have to haul in your own bottled supply). If all that wasn't bad enough we helped them to load the boat when it left Papeete. Overall is was quite an adventure so we couldn't complain. Katiu is part of the Tuamotu Archipelago. This picture is of the northern half of the island looking west. We met a pearl farmer who lived right on the pass inbetween the lagoon and the ocean. His name is Teiki Winchester and he was born on the island. His distant ancestor was an Englishman, hence the last name. In fact, the three most common last names in the Tuamotus are, Williams, Harris, and Winchester Here we see Teiki with couple of his relatives. Everyone on the Tuamotus seemed to be related. We must have met four of Teiki's cousins on three different islands during our journey. This is the local Catholic church on Katiu. The bottom portion is made from hand carved coral, the same material the island is composed of. Everything above the coral had to be brought in by boat.