This is reputed to be the most dramatic anchorage in the World! It's almost impossible to capture with a small domestic camera.

On 31 March, there was a tragic accident on the beach at Hanamoenoa Bay. We had gone ashore for a campfire and singsong when Patrik, a young crew member on Thetis, removed his finger ,whilst chopping up coconut with a machete. He was taken to their infirmary at Hiva Oa and then flown to Papeete where we understand he is comfortable.

The next night we motored a few miles down the coast to Hapatoni, a small village on Tahuata. The village shop actually had frozen prawns so we had a very pleasant supper. The crews of A Lady and Voyageur were there, the former ecstatic as Bill on Crazy Horse had repaired their generator.

We then sailed South to Fatu Hiva, our first windward sail since December. It is about 45 miles but we had to motorsail the last 3 hours.

The Anchorage at Fatu Hiva                                                         Coconut Drying in the Village

The effort was well worth it as the anchorage was stunning. The 3rd April was Mike's 65th Birthday and we were invited to supper onboard Asolare. We made the starter, Confit de  Canard and Claire and Mark produced an excellent sailfish which Mark had caught earlier and frozen

Earlier in the day John and Graham walked for several hours to a waterfall, eventually finding it with guidance notes from Peter who had been there 2 years earlier.

Today, the 4th, we returned to Hiva Oa simply to get internet access to phone home.