We've been hiking three days and I've been doing yoga on the beach with Gaya (a nice young lady from India who is hitch-hiking on North Star to Tahiti). We visited William who started the Hanaiapa Yacht Club and became members by signing his book. He then gave us tons of fruit. Every time we go ashore, someone just comes up and gives us fruit including the huge grapefruit-like pamplemousse, papaya, mangoes, breadfruit, bananas (whole stalks), limes, lemons, star fruit, pineapples, coconut chips, a couple of unknown fruits, but no coconuts. The mainstay here in the village is making copra, dried coconut, to sell to the supply boat that comes once a month and takes it to Tahiti.
One day we went snorkeling and saw two manta rays and lots of fish we've never seen before. We've seen about a dozen manta rays feeding right near our boat and heard that there are usually hammerhead sharks right under them. We've also had a pod of dolphin hanging around and doing acrobatic shows for us.
Sunday we went to church and the service was in the Marquesan language. They sing a lot during the service and they fully lived up to their reputation of having the most angelic voices! They sing with such harmony, without an organ or musical instrument, just plain singing. After the service, they invited us back for lunch. What a feast! We had chicken, goat, roasted pig, fish, chow mein, rice with shrimp and veggies, taro, boiled banana, another type of banana, pumpkin poi, breadfruit, bread and wine. We won't have to eat for a week! We sat with the 2 priests, a really nice port captain from Papeete, Tahiti, and several other "elders". The people here are the friendliest and most generous people we've met while traveling.
Tony has been working hard in the engine room and has fixed the small generator and the roller furling. The Single Side Band radio and boom vang will require work in Tahiti. I've been having fun entertaining our friends on Cetacea. Last night was a pot luck with chicken masala, rice, pesto pasta, cole slaw, and cherry cheese cake. Yum! We've been here a week now, and are now waiting for a good weather window before pulling up the anchor.
(See Photos)
More Later - G&T