We are still in Hiva Oa. It has been raining since Monday (it is Thursday today) so there is no point going anywhere else at the moment. The water here in the bay has turned to brown due to the mud sliding down the hills with the rain.

A big cruise ship has arrived this morning. It is anchored off so that gives us something to look at: their passengers being offloaded to the shore!

Went running yesterday and went to the cemetery where Jacques Brel and Gauguin are buried. Brel has a very unassuming grave, just earth and a stone with a brass plaque on which there is a drawing of his face and of his partner, Maddly. Didn’t remember that he died so young at 48.

Not sure when we will be moving again. It will depend on the weather and we will take it as it goes.

We have booked a berth in Marina Taina in Papeete, Tahiti for the 11^th May. It will be good to have access to plenty of water to clean the boat and get her ready for Audrey and Didier’s arrival.

Mike has busied himself with lots of maintenance and repair jobs.

Alain and Catherine came onboard for dinner last night. We had BBQ chicken with local aubergines and peppers and pasta. The previous night we went out together for a dinner at a local private house. Beautiful location up the hill with stunning view over the bay where we are anchored. The owner if French and his wife, who is the cook, is Marquesian. They offer lunch or dinner on bookings only. It was a lovely evening. We ate well, seared tuna, green beans, potatoes, avocados, mango sorbet. Good experience.

So the weather is obviously very disapoointing but still, this is not a bad place to be…

Love

M+C