The Marquesas - Fatu Hiva Photos

Aurora_b
Mike and Liz Downing
Sun 1 Aug 2010 08:04
Bai Hanavave (Bay of Virgins) on Fatu Hiva, our first landfall after almost 18 days at sea from the Galapagos. The bay is quite spectacular with high steep-to mountains all around and is one of the most picturesque in Polynesia.
 
The bay was also very deep - we were anchored in 70 -90 feet and despite the wind that gusted down the
steep slopes, the anchor held for the 8 days we stayed here. The water was exceptionally clear.
 
The closer you got the more dramatic it was!
 
Looking across to the other side of the bay.
The rocky outcrop that hung above the tiny village and harbour at
the head of the bay.
 
Slightly more distant, the mountains also surrounded the village.
 
The village church. The school was next to the church and had 16 children.
 
The beach of black stones, with the tiny harbour under the rocky outcrop.
 
One of the local boats on the slipway in the harbour.  The outrigger gives stability and the outboard
gives speed! The figure behind the boat is a Tiki (ancient Polynesian statue).