We are currently anchored in Daniel's Bay on Nuku Hiva. It is a beautiful peaceful Bay, but it has some no-see-'ms, and we are all itching a bit. Yesterday we were here with only two other boats, kids boats!, and while the children watched a Harry Potter movie on one boat, the adults had cocktails on another boat, quite a good arrangement. We went on a very nice hike to the third highest waterfall in the world. It took us four and a half hours to go both ways. The last part of the hike which was stunning, had a warning that rocks could fall down, I think that was the part we walked fastest. In the evening our leg muscles were hurting from so much use!
We have visited five of the islands in the Marquesas: Hiva Oa, where we made landfall, saw all our friends arriving, and had lots of we-made-it parties. Tahuata, where we swam with the giant Manta Rays, an experience all of us loved; even Eltjo jumped into the water without hesitation. Fatu Hiva, where we anchored in the Bay of Virgins. There the wind was so gusty at night that several boats dragged anchor, one even drifted out to sea, barely missing a couple of other boats on the way. Ewout tried to wake them up via the radio and by shining a huge beam on them, but alas to no avail. Apparently they woke up when they were 5 miles out and then made it back in. Mysterious how some people manage to sleep through this kind of weather on a boat. After Fatu Hiva we went to Oa Pou. The people were really friendly and gave us lots of fresh fruit. We were there with only one other boat, our Dutch friend Aedgard on Lariekoek, who taught us to make rum-banana smoothies from over-ripe bananas. Wow do they knock you out! From there we went to the main anchorage in Nuku Hiva, where the 'whole' fleet anchored, I think we were there with at least 40 other boats. It was great though, because it was calm at night, not too many of the large tropical downpours and no 40+ wind gusts, we slept soundly each night! We were once again connected to the outside the world via internet, after quite a while without, it is funny how important that has become.
The Olympic Sport Crab Racing
Two Shadows
Later today we will head for the Tuamotus, this will be a three day sail. The Tuamotus are meant to be a little cooler than the Marquesas, which will be great. They are quite different from the Marquesas as they are atolls instead of high mountainous old volcanos. Depending on the wind we will choose which of the Tuamotus we will go to. We will let you know in a couple of days.
The Muscle Cramping Hike
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