Last day in Marquesas

Pearl of Persia
Andrew Lock
Thu 18 Apr 2013 05:21
We left Taiohae Bay on Nuka Hiva, but decided to extend our stay on this
island by visiting another bay on our way to the Tuamotu islands. As we
approached Hakatea Bay, also known as Daniels bay, I couldn't see where the
entrance was, but as we got closer it appeared around the headland. The
approach was stunning, just towering majestic volcanic structures covered in
lush green foliage. Truly breathtaking.
Having dropped anchor we went ashore to explore and take a hike up to an
immense waterfall, evidently the third highest in the world. As we
approached the shore a friendly local couple greeted us and invited us into
their home for a drink and some fruit. Andrew's French came into its own as
he managed to converse with them. They enjoyed that, and having fed us
fresh mangos, oranges and bananas off their trees, they insisted we took a
big bag of fruit back to the boat with us. So we arranged to pick this up on
our return from our walk. 200 yards up the path we were again invited into a
local home for refreshments. People are so friendly and welcoming. Having
stopped so many times we never made it all the way to the waterfall (which
we were subsequently told was dry). We walked up the path for about an hour
enjoying the stunning views and vegetation. We got back to our boat loaded
with another big bag of fruit which we have stored away to enjoy over the
next couple of weeks.
The decision to stay an extra day was not a difficult one. We have managed
to relax and enjoy the surroundings, go for a swim and chat to locals who
come up to the boat in their canoes . We also got involved with a rescue
mission of a poor German couple who had obviously fallen out with the owners
of boat they were on. We gave them shelter until a local fishing boat they
had organised could take them back to the main village in the next bay.
Never a dull moment at sea.
Photos show
1. Sussanne in Dingy at Fatu Hiva
2. Friendly couple
3. Fruit we collected
4. Pearl of Persia in Hakatea Bay

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