Hiking past the moss-covered spires and towering palms pictured here, it's easy to imagine the first Polynesian explorers coming to shore on this lush volcanic island more than 600 miles northeast of Tahiti. Or you might be thinking of other journeymen -- Herman Melville, Paul Gauguin and, more recently, cast members of Survivor -- who took to these beaches before you. Whoever inspires your voyage, you'll most likely find yourself alone on your journey. Though the archipelago is called Te Henua Enata, or "Land of Men," the island shown here (the largest in this grouping) is one of only six that is inhabited. Besides secluded, cliff-lined trails, the Mystic Island, as it's called, is known for waterfalls that tower so high, most of the liquid evaporates before it reaches the ground, forming a ghostly mist. Those sights and more are captured in the next issue of ISLANDS.
Ty Sawyer of ISLANDS shot this image with a Nikon D200 fitted with a 17-35 lens on a Manfrotto tripod. Shutter speed was 1/40th of a second at f/10 and ISO 200.
If you can name this island, which will be featured in our October issue, send your answer in by August 15, 2008. Readers who submit the correct answer will be entered to win an ISLANDS gift.
ISLANDS next issue - On Sale August 19, 2008
- Secret Islands: Mljet, Ovalau, Providencia
- Brazilian Galápagos: Fernando de Noronha
- BVIs: Beyond Sailboats
