the Marquesas
05 June 2010 | Nuka Hiva
Kaoha!(Hello!) The Marquesas, it is the first French Polynesia archipelago reached when crossing the Pacific. These islands are grand, brooding, steep, magnificent and lush. It is nature's art gallery on full display outdoors, everywhere you look. We've spent nearly a month island hopping thru this chain, enjoying the anchorages, exploring the villages, trading with the locals for fresh fruits (like sweet grapefruit, juicy starfruit, sugary papaya, breadfruit, citrus-apple, oranges, mangoes, basil and even mint), carvings and even a ukulele for Kelita. We hiked a jungle pathway to a splendid waterfall, where we leaped from the rocks into the swimming hole below. We built bonfires on the beach, roasted marsh mellows w/ other cruisers and gazed at the stars. We spent many nights onboard friends' boats, playing music, singing songs and enjoying the good company of friends.
We made landfall in Fatu Hiva, and have traversed up thru the islands to Nuka Hiva where we've stopped to reprovision. We'll stop at the famous Daniel's Bay next before leaving these islands behind, as the atolls of the Tuomotus are up next on our itinerary. No surf to report of in these islands, but we are hopeful the upcoming atolls will be generous. Probably won't be able to post again until we reach Papeete, Tahiti. Apai! (Goodbye!) Kelita & Robert.