Paul Gauguin came to Hiva Oa in 1901 in search of unspoiled subjects for his paintings. He died there two years later and is buried on the hillside above Atuona, Hiva Oa's main town. Aside from the cemetery, the Gauguin Museum is now Atuona's main attraction, with a replica of the painter's thatched studio and realistic reproductions of his paintings. Five huge stone tikis are in Puama'u village across the island from Atuona, a steep 19 mi/30 km drive. But although the scenery here is lovely, Nuku Hiva has more to offer the sightseer. 875 mi/1,400 km northeast of Tahiti.
