We have spent the last week enjoying Hiva Oa.
Friday night was the pig roast and it turned out great - over 30 people showed up! And the food was terrific. We tried Poisson Cru for the first time and it was very good. It is similar to ceviche - it is made by marinating fish in lime juice, but they also use coconut cream - very tasty! We are going to try and make it on the boat - if we ever happen to catch a fish.

We took a tour of the island yesterday. We visited a few archeological sites that were quite interesting. The Marquesans are known for being cannibals back in the day, and we saw a ceremonial site where they killed and devoured their enemies. Not sure if lime juice or coconut milk was also involved. From what we understand, the women were not allowed to partake though. Men can be such savages sometimes! We also saw another site with some large stone sculptures on the northeast side of the island. They are believed to be linked to tikis on both Easter Island and Necker island near Hawaii. The scenery along the way was outstanding. Check out the latest album. Luckily our guide, Mary Jo, had inside connections to most everyone on the island so we also scavangered for limes, pamplemousse, and breadfruit along the way. And we learned the differences between green and brown coconuts - and coconuts that have fallen from the tree and are beginning to sprout on the ground. The core of those fallen coconuts contain a white soft mass that is cooked eaten like a dessert - it is sweet but not over the top sweet. We also like the pamplemousse - they are like a large grapefruit - and are usually very sweet.

We expect to be here in Hiva Oa one more night, then onto a small island called Tahuata nearby. There is a tatoo artist there that is quite well known for his talent. Some of the other cruisers are going to seek him out and get a tatoo from him. John and I are on the fence about it - we'll let ya know....

Then onto Fatu Hiva - which many say is the most beautiful island in the Marquesas group, and the most remote. So we will probably be out of cell phone/wifi coverage for the next 10 days or so. But we can do some blog updates via sat phone.

Lisa