The forecast strong NE winds duly arrived and we battened down the hatches whist we waited for them to pass.  We enjoyed spending time with our Belgian neighbours Jérôme and Alexandra on sv Florestan and it’s always reassuring to know you’re in good company.

Eventually the winds abated and we were glad to go ashore for some much needed exercise.  The hike to the Belvedere had come strongly recommended, so we set off for the round trip along the road (very long and winding…) and back through the rainforest, which was wonderful – past a  number of marae (where the ancients had their religious ceremonies and offerings) and one particularly impressive example.  We headed down the Sentier des Ancêtres, crossing back and forth over the stream a few times and then through the Field of Pineapples.  When we finally paddled back to Macushla we felt exhausted and slept very well that night.

View of Opunohu Bay and Cook’s Bay from the Belvedere:

Hiking down the Sentier des Ancêtres:

Māhines’s Altar (Marae):

The Field of Pineapples: