Nuku Hiva

Beautiful harabour at Taiohae

Local dancers

Rob being welcomed

View out church window!

April 16 2015

Nuka Hiva

We are having a good week in Taiohae, Nuka Hiva, our last stop in the Marquesas and the capital city. It was a treat to arrive to a large bay where there is plenty of room for boats. Although there is still a swell no one is using a stern anchor. Again we are surrounded by high, green slopes. There are some mega yachts here as well as the many sailboats that pass through.

Yesterday, Wed, the local tourist bureau put on a welcoming event. Again we were treated to lei’s and chanting and dances. We joined in weaving baskets and hats from coconut leaves and stringing necklaces from coloured seeds. More dancing and rum and juice cocktails preceded a huge buffet dinner.

The evening was also a farewell to the boaters who were part of the Pacific Odyssey as opposed to the BPO. Most of them will be travelling now at a slower pace. They will likely spend the storm season in New Zealand or hauled out in Tahiti and return to the islands next season.

There have been many activities here to choose from but most boaters are relaxing or doing boat chores. I’m surprised how many of the fleet (compared to us, the younger ones) have had tattoos done here. The Marquesans are famous for their tattoo work. Luc and Jackie have had a presentation at 5 most days, covering topics like activities here, navigating the Tuamotos, and South Pacific weather. We’ve stayed for dinner ashore so I am getting a big cooking break.

Beside the dinghy dock there is an outdoor restaurant with internet. We will try again to get some photos attached to this. The internet speed is painfully slow. For the next island group we are trying to download charts, google earth and tide tables. After many hours we are still not done. We still probably have until Sat or Sun. There is almost no wind until then, so boats are waiting to start the 520 nm trip to the Tuamoto atolls.