Today, saturday, July 17th, we are at Hakahau Bay on Ua Pou getting ready to end our beautiful time at the Marquesas and sail to the Tuamotus. We arrived here on July 13th after a difficult sailing trip from Nuku Hiva, with lots of squals, wind, sun and rain but we learned a lot.
Still sailing in the sun but you see from afar what is coming towards you. Winds pick up to 7 beaufort and lots of water are dumped on the boat but it only lasts 5-10 minutes.We had several of those and thus it was a day of active sailing!Sailing to Ua Pou with Hatiheu in the background.Sanuk at Hakahau Bay on Ua Pou.
We arrived just in time for the 14th of july celebrations and enjoyed the free bar from 10 AM till 12 (lunch) with the marquesians. Stefan and I enjoyed people watching while they were singing, playing the ukulele, dancing and enjoying being with their friends and family.
Almost all the women had flowers in their hair.Always smiling…
Children who were at camp joined in the singing.The local band having fun playing the ukulele and singing.Not only flowers are everywhere but also tatoos…All the little cafes were beautifully decorated…
Before leaving Nuku Hiva we enjoyed two more bays on Nuku Hiva, Hakatea and Anaho Bay. We saw more traditional dancing at Taiohae Bay and had lunch at the home of Monette and Mathias. We hiked to Vaipo waterfall from Hakatea.We had lunch at restaurant Chez Yvonne in Hatiheu Bay after a hike from Anaho Bay and met with world travellers Jacques and Michelle.
Hakatea Bay on Nuku Hiva.Sanuk in Hakatea Bay.Manta ray (Manta Birostris)in Hakatea bay. We saw 6 of them around the boat. They are huge, friendly creatures. At Bora Bora we will be able to swim with them…They can reach up to 7m in width.Local in an outrigger canoe in Hakatea bay.Hiking to Vaipo waterfall.Little chapel on our way to Vaipo waterfall.Nicolas and Jean-Pierre hiked a part of the way with us to the waterfall.Vaipo waterfall, free fall cascade of over 300meter. Apparently the third highest waterfall in the world.Vaipo waterfall hiding behind the rockformations. Actually we were off limits terrain as there were warnings for falling rocks. For Stefan this was a good reason to continue…At Vaipo waterfall.Finally made it to Vaipo waterfall.We had a wonderful lunch at Monette and Matthias house in Hakatea bay.Getting Flipper back after lunch at low tide.More traditional dancing at Taiohae bay.
Anaho bay on Nuku Hiva.Beach on Anaho bay.Childrens camp, weaving clothes for a traditional dance performance for their parents.Hiking to Hatiheu with a view on Anaho Bay.Lots of mud but also beautiful scenery on our walk to Hatiheu.We arrived at Hatiheu just before a downpour !With Jacques and Michelle at famous restaurant Chez Yvonne in Hatiheu.
