Remarkably, I had no burning desire to go ashore and was quite content to remain on the boat resting, reading, and catching up on odd jobs and minor repairs. When most of that was finished, though, I blew up the kayak and ventured ashore where I soon met the crew of half a dozen other boats, all European and out of the Galapagos. Their route comes from a bit farther south than mine so this island is the first encountered and they all stop here. Most of the American boats make landfall at Hiva Oa, a day's sail the the northwest.

The village of Hanavave is situated in a breathtaking ravine with vertical volcanic rock formations rising 1000 ft. and covered with vegetation. There are maybe 100 people living in the village in small, simple prefab housing and they have all have gardens with fruit trees but no vegetables which they do not seem to eat. I met up with four crew from a Dutch boat and had a Polynesian dinner at one of these homes. There are no restaurants here so some of the enterprising locals cook meals for the cruisers who inundate the town for two months each year. We had goat meat cooked in coco milk, tuna marinated in lime juice, garlic and goat's milk, several preparations of bananas, and grapefruit. It was all very good, especially considering what my options were onboard.

Sunday morning I will go to 8 AM Mass at the little church and then watch some soccer games in the village. In the evening, the locals are putting on a goat cookout for the cruisers. Should be interesting. Wish I spoke a little more French.