Of all the places we have been so far the on this adventure I know least of all about the Pacific Islands. It will be interesting to see the differences between Polynesian and  Melanesian cultures, the diversity created by foreign rule, French, American, British, New Zealand, etc and the variations across the numerous archipelagos.

First impressions of the Marquesas formed by our initial contact with the villagers of Hanavave on Fatu Hiva have been very good. Without exception they have been warm and friendly and extremely generous with gifts of fresh fruit, vegetables and fish on the first day after our arrival.

I also broke my births, deaths and marriages rule and went to church on Sunday to hear the locals singing and playing their Guitars and homemade Ukuleles during the service. Woman and girls young and old were dressed for the occasion and both men and women wore flowers behind their ear, the women the open flower and the men the unopened bud.

There are only two villages on the island one in each of the two bays that can be approached safely.

Curious Alone at anchor in the stunning Baie des Vierges

We were probably one of the first boats to make the crossing this season and until the other boats catch up with us we will have even many of the popular anchorages to ourselves.

Glenn topping up his tan before he returns to real life in his native Canada