08:54.931S 140:06.023W

We arrived safely in the Marquesas at the island of Nuku Hiva after an unexpectedly swift trip from Galapagos which lasted just 16 days and 4 hours (thanks to the wind rather than any sudden improvement in our sailing ability). Polynesia came over the horizon looking just as stunning as we remembered and even checking in with the friendly Gendarmerie was a pleasure after the irritations and frustrations of Latin American customs, immigration and general bureaucracy. We spent a couple of days sleeping (a lot), washing (both our clothes and Bamboozle) and settling back into the rhythm of South Pacific life and since then have been exploring this fascinating island. Even the Tahitians seem to think of it as a long way away! 

The hairy skipper on passage. I have to promise to remove this growth before we get to land.

Polynesia comes over the horizon

The view from above the Taiohae Bay in which we are anchored

Visiting one of the extraordinary old village sites. This rock was apparently used for excections.

It seems they were quite keen on bashing people over the head and eating them right up until the

start of the 20th century.  They now seem quite friendly!

 Lucy and our guide Richard standing next to a 500 year old Banyan tree at another ceremonial site.  There is apparently a picture of this tree taken in about 1870 at which time it was covered in human skulls! 

The less visited north side of Nuku Hiva