Marquesas Hiva Oa Pacific Ocean
Chantelle
Fri 28 Mar 2008 23:42
Helloa
Just to say we've arrived! Came in on Thursday 27th
approx 11am. Happy to say we and the boat are all in tact after an uneventful
2,900 miles crossing of the Pacific. Mother Nature was kind to us! For any boats
who are due to leave Galapagos now (have been waiting for parts to clear
customs) the weather will be less kind - apparantely storms! So our timing was
lucky!
We will be leaving Hiva Oa tomorrow to sail to a
smaller Island called Taiahua (imaginative spelling) where there is meant to be
the spectacular Hanavave Bay. There really isn't too much on Hiva Oa unless you
hire a car and there are only 5 cars to hire and 10 official taxis. It is mega
expensive - the local currency is the Pacific Franc and we've already spent
thousands! (1000 pf = approx. £7). I guess for a small island in the middle of
nowhere it's amazing they have the facilities they do, mind you they are French
administered. A bottle of wine nothing special is £21.00 - ouch! The internet is
£5 an hour.
Apparantely these Islands are the furthest from
land anywhere! The landscape is very "Jurassic Park" - wonderful volcanic
peaks, and in parts very lush.
We have no pictures as yet! Keep looking they will
come! In the meantime we've posted an ancient ancestor for you to look
at.
That's all for now folks - cafe closing
now!
Take care all
Chantelle
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