BIRD ISLANDS

To the southwest of Ua Huka, two prominent pieces of rock - the Hemeni and Teuaua motus - are home to thousands of sooty terns (kaveka). If you have an adventurous spirit, be sure to accompany the islanders to the egg harvest! Your guide will take you by speed-boat to Teuaua (Hemeni is forbidden, as it is protected) for an epic day.

Getting to the island is already an adventure: as the boat cannot get too close to the rocks, you will have to reach the rock face by jumping on a tiny platform, then climb the island's plateau with a 6-metre rope (not easy!). So bring pants and sneakers! The spectacle is quite striking: countless birds cover the entire island with their open-air nests in an indescribable din and stench. The way of collecting these strange spotted white eggs is singular but effective: your guide will certainly explain that the eggs must be consumed immediately after laying. But how do you recognize them? You just have to cross the island following a line, crushing all the eggs you find in its path. Returning to his footsteps, the eggs that we find have inevitably been laid in the meantime ... and that's all there is to it! Birds don't necessarily like jokes, so remember to bring a thick cap and glasses if you don't want to play a remake of Hitchcock's Birds. Now all you have to do is go home and enjoy a delicious omelette... Bon appétit!