08:56S 140:09W

 

We reckon our lifestyle (most of the time) is pretty darn good.  Now, with the bulk of the Pacific crossing behind us, it’s particularly enjoyable to be back in cruising mode (as opposed to passage mode), island hopping and enjoying spectacular anchorages.   The best part of all this is sharing it with friends and family and, when they are not here, we’re not averse to picking up the odd stray and waif.  While in beautiful Anaho Bay we chatted several times to a young Bulgarian backpacking couple we met on the beach.  Their plans were to hike out of Anaho (no mean feat with backpacks), head back to Taiohae and then hike into a waterfall near Hakatea, west of Taiohae.  Our plans were to head around the island to Hakatea so we decided to ask them if they’d like a lift.  Their acceptance was immediate.

 

Neither had sailed before nor had they seen dolphins.  We fed them seasick pills and set off and, on cue, a school of dolphins appeared to play on the bow.  Our Bulgarian friends were enchanted.  On arriving in Hakatea we soon realised the hike back to Taiohae was pretty tough so we offered to take them back the next day.  They spent the night happily camped on the beach, refusing our offer of a bed on board, and we walked to the waterfall together before heading back to Bandit for the sail around to Taiohae.

 

The waterfall walk was spectacular.  The first half hour we walked through beautifully manicured lush tropical gardens with prolific tropical fruit trees including papaya, mango, pamplemousse, orange, banana and breadfruit.  We passed ancient sites with tikis standing proud and the scenery was spectacular – sheer mountains on both sides. 

 

Back near the beach we bought fruit from a local – stuffing our backpacks full of all the above.  Enough to keep us going for weeks.  Island life is growing on us!