April 6 Wednesday
We left Taiohae Bay, and moved to Hakatea Bay. This was a very beautiful bay with very high volcanic mountains surrounding us so gave very good protection from the wind and swell. Unfortunately the high mountains cut off our ability to send emails via HR radio hence the delay since last update.
We walked one and half hours up the valley to see a very high water fall. We meet a guide that advised us not to go close to the bottom of the water fall because rocks come over it. At 800 to 1000 feet drop they would hurt. We got good views of the fall, and also saw some Marquesan archeological site. It would have been good to have a local guide that could tell us what it all meant.
We were getting hungry and the bugs were getting bad so we went back to the start of the track and had lunch provided by a lovely older couple. We also bought fruit from them and their next door neighbors.
The Marquesans are very warm and welcoming people. They look just like the New Zealand Maori people, with very similar artwork and dances. They descended from the same group of terrific navigators as the Hawaiians, and other islands of the Pacific. If made me feel that I am getting closer to home.
We collected some more rain water while in this bay and have now set off for the Tuamotu Islands. These are about 530 miles away. Currently we have 314 to go. We are heading for Fakarava Island which is really an Atol. We are all looking forward to some clear water for snorkeling.
The first day had a good wind but today and tonight the speed (and our speed) have dropped.
Yea!!! We finally caught a fish, a 20 lb Blue Fin Tuna. It made very good eating tonight plus lots more in the freezer for a few more nights.
We have also got the Hydrovane Wind vane working very well down wind. This automatic steering device requires no power to operate so saves a lot of battery power.
Pretty quiet easy day sailing so cleaned my shower and bath room, plus the bilges. Fascinating detail that I am sure you want to read about.
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