Nuku Hiva Marquesas Islands

Chantelle
Sun 6 Apr 2008 00:13
Greetings from Nuku Hiva.
 
We arrived here yesterday from Ua Pou and before that Fatu Hiva - a beautiful anchorage in Hanavave Bay, otherwise know as Bay of Virgins. See attached picture (don't get too excited, not literal!). If you look closely you can see a Madonna in the rock face, who you might fancy is keeping a protective eye on the bay, however the trimiran in the picture, Branec a WARC boat, narrowly escaped being blown onto the rocks -  the wind coming off the mountains would gust up to 30+ knots. Still it deserves the reputation of being the prettiest bay in all of French Polynesia.  It rained a lot here in comparison to other Marquesas Islands which made for a welcome change. We seem to spend a lot of time trying to dodge the sun - so hot! We managed a walk on Fatu Hiva to a spectacular waterfall and en route were caught in a tropical downpour. It was heavenly!
It's hard to imagine how the islands survive as there is little, if any industry, apart from boat building (skiffs with out rigging). Not sure whether that's just local business or for export. Tourism of course helps and a lot of support from France. From our perspective it would seem they have the best of both worlds. It seems a peaceful unhurried existence with a reasonably high standard of living. Lots of 4x4s and the ever present satellite dishes and mobile phones.
As we have seen little of the interior on the other islands we have decided to do a trip with a local guide on Nuku Hiva. Perhaps we shall discover another way of life in the smaller villages and hopefully find some answers to our questions.
We shall be here for another couple of days and then onto the Tuamotus Islands - affectionately known as the Tomatoes! It will put our navigation skills and anchorage know how to the test, in and out of atolls (coral reefs). From there we shall be heading to Tahiti where Kate and Steve will be joining us for the Tahiti Pearl Regatta which ends in Bora Bora. Can't be bad eh?
 
Hope life is treating you all well and for folks back in UK that Spring has sprung.
 
Any news very welcome, not always able to reply as power is always an issue along with internet access. Will upload more pictures when we can secure land based internet connection.
 
So until the next time - take care all.
Wilting Chantelle
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