It is high tide and the waters of the Pacific Ocean leave only a small green dome of coconut trees from the main island of Tokelau. This is what the Fakaofo Atoll of the independent territory of Tokelau looks like from the outside. Because of the palm trees, it seems that Fakaofo is quite large, but this impression is deceptive. The island is very small, like everything on Tokelau.

The island was chosen as a small stop during the whale hunting in the 19th century. Gradually, year after year, people from neighboring islands began to come there and stay forever.

It won't be too crowded. Only about 600 people live on the Atoll. The locals are very friendly and ambitious. Now the island of Fakaofo, like Tokelau, depends on New Zealand. However, the locals cherish the hope of becoming the only territory in the world that would completely switch to solar energy and biofuels.

Smiling, they tell about their plans, on the way to the pigsty: a separate small island was set aside for it. Every day the locals go there to feed the pigs and collect manure for processing. By the way, about solar energy: Where else can people use it? Despite the small size of Fakaofo Island, there are a lot of solar panels.

This is the place where you can have a great break from civilization. Although messages and calls may reach you there, thanks to satellite dishes built at the expense of New Zealand. But the feeling that you are on a desert island will still remain. Especially when you look into the clear water of the ocean, through which you can see colorful corals and dark blue entrances to underground caves. Diving there is amazing.

The island also has its own shrines. The locals go to church in their free time. There are slightly fewer churches than there are people. Religion is very important for the people of Fakaofo. But despite the reverence for Christianity, there are also pagan motives. For example, the Tui Tokelau coral monument.