8:54.99S 140:05.90W

We have now visited for a few nights each Hiva Oa, Tahuata, Ua Pou (pronounced Waapoo), Nuku Hiva and we feel we have well explored the Marquesas. Volcanic, verdant, Vibrant and vunderbar populated by large and small polynesians with seemingly little loyalty to their French motherland or owners. Nevertheless the administration seems superficially to work - I was treated well in the local hospital and the place is reasonably tidy and clean. There is a hotel and restaurant here and there with passable food, often pizza but always good fish. It is not the lobster season. 

We have discovered the Noni tree (Morinda Citrifolia) which grows in abundance and yields a per sized green skinned fruit. The fruit drops when ripe and can be used as an antiseptic and an elixir for various ailments. This fruit is now shipped in bulk to Salt Lake City and converted into various fruit juices. We used it as an antiseptic on cuts and wounds and as a rather effective mosquito and fly repellent. The fruit when juiced and applied to the skin does not yield a pleasant perfume so it could probably be applied by women as quite an effective contraceptive! This marvellous was first introduced to s by a marvellous old polynesian lady who took Geoffrey cardozo by the hand and lead him to a tree as she had spied a small wound on his leg.

This magnificent Staysail gaff Schooner pulled in last night keen to join Carango in this anchorage. She is called Atlantic and shows well at 185  feet long on the deck - launched from aDutch yard in 2010 she is a copy of an original Admirals Cup winning yacht built in 1903

 Then keen not to miss the party Carango was joined by a square rigger named ‘Tenacious’ -  a sail training yacht on a charter to Australia at the moment.