Craft Market

Near the dock on Fanning Island, the local people set up a craft market when the cruise ship is there. When Norwegian Cruise Line first started to visit the island, there were no crafts for purchase. The people only made things that they needed. But as the years have gone by, more and more of the local people have started making them. I was told that some of the vendors can earn in one day as much as many of the islanders used to earn in a year!

Most of the crafts are fairly simple, however some do have a lot of detail. I am sure that as the years go by, the quality of items for sale will steadily increase.

One of the items that we purchased was a simple wooden cane. It was smooth and painted with simple designs and a message. There were no carvings on it or other details to make it unusual. One of the other passengers had a cane with him that he was using to walk that was detailed and unique. I saw one of the men selling canes speaking to the man, and then spending some time carefully looking at his cane to see how it was made.