February 2003 2003

Hello everyone,

Papeete-Auckland-Singapore-Bangkok-Paris-London-Los Angeles-Papeete; that's my program for the next few weeks. not by boat, but by plane, with a "Round the world" ticket. I will once again leave Banana Split for a few weeks, for the shooting in Thailand of new advertising films, and then to work, in Paris, at the publishing of four of the films in the "Once upon an island" series; Tonight, I'm getting ready for the trip; my days have been pretty full lately, as I had to attend quite a few meetings in town for the preparation of the shooting of the next film, about Polynesia.

The weather, I must admit it, is better here than what I hear of on Europe's radio stations; Although the sky is grey with a light drizzle, like in Brittany (albeit at 25°C), on Tahiti's north shore, I have had a series of beautifully sunny days. And even if I didn't sail much, I spent a few beautiful days in the southern lagoons of Tahiti. It's the wet season, however, characterized in the tropics by the stunning blooming of "Flamboyant" trees; One of them is especially amazing, I pass it on my way to town, in front of Taverio church.

From time to time, I pay a visit at Papeete's market, always very picturesque. I suppose my popularity there is growing, for the other day I had to sign an autograph to the young girl from whom I often buy ice cold green coconuts !

I've taken a few pictures of that mythic place, here they are.

I also include shots of the shirts you can buy here... Which gives me an idea : I sometimes receive mails from people who wonder where they could buy shirts like mine; why don't we try to put some on sale on this site, just for fun ...

Among the pictures I send you, a few rare fruit: among them, kennip, small green balls. jackfruit, enormous; fei, orange colored bananas, which taste so good, cooked in the oven with coconut milk !

And a few flower leis, collars made of shells or of flowers; and some of those ornaments that hang from more, the long straw skirts local dancers wear. I also include, although it is not in season any more, a picture of the three Tahitian musicians who welcomed travellers at the airport when I arrived, shortly before Christmas.

Finally, I add a picture of one of the spotted eagle rays that circle around the boat every morning, in my peaceful lagoon on Tahiti's south shore.

I wish you a fine month of February!