08:55S 140:05W

 

We had a rip snorting sail from Tahuata to Niku Hiva – Bandit just blasted along at 7-8 knots and, at last, there was a comfortable swell so all in all it was a really great sail!  We left Tahuata with the plan of going to Ua Poa for the night and onto Niku Hiva the next day as it was 80 miles direct.   Given it had been gusting strongly in Hane Moe Noa Bay we opted to leave at 5am so we could keep our options open and if the conditions were right, go straight to Niku Hiva.   We hit 8 knots heading out of the bay and didn’t slow down much so Niku Hiva it was and we arrived just as the sun was setting – perfect timing. 

 

Halfway across our fishing line screamed and the line raced out – we jumped up and as we got to the back of the boat saw a massive mahimahi leaping out of the water.  My first thoughts were – “how on earth are we going to land that”...it was huge.  The dilemma was taken out of our hands – the line reached the end, the mahimahi gave another big jump and the lure was ripped out of its mouth.  Lucky mahimahi – gets to live another day.

 

Taihoe Bay in Nuku Hiva is a haven for yachts being big and reasonably well protected (we have got a stern anchor out to stop us rolling).  It’s also where we checked in opting not to go to Hiva Ova after other cruisers had told us how awful the anchorage was.  Check in was a breeze here although it’s annoying (being non EU) to have to deal with the bond issue.  Cruisers who are non EU have to post a bond equal to a one way airfare back to their home country – but the authorities don’t necessarily pick the cheapest fare you can book online.  Faced with having to fork out $1000 each (which may or may not be refunded in the currency you pay it in) we opted to pay $90 for a bond waiver letter which, on production of health insurance, excludes us from paying it.  Seems crazy that a rough old Bulgarian or Polish (not picking on those countries....just saying) boat with penniless uninsured crew can come in here and not have to pay a bond yet we have to – even though we could show healthy bank accounts and comprehensive health insurance including an evacuation clause.  Oh well, I guess you don’t have to pay for a cruising permit – that’s one way of looking at it.

 

It’s been great catching up with friends – this seems to be a great place for cruisers to catch up – and we’ve had lots of coffee mornings, drinks and dinners.  It’s also been a novelty to go ashore, get (slow) internet, buy baguettes and delicious ripe mangos and avocados.  We’re passing on the eggs – they’re $6 a dozen!