• Public Gallery  • Help  
• Join Now!  • Log In  • Feature Tour
 Gerard Coulson | Home > 
The Marquesas
Les Isles Marquises are the first of the French Polynesian islands on our route through the Pacific.  Arriving at Fatu Hiva after 23 days at sea was amazing; the anchorage was stunningly beautiful, and the people ashore gave us our first glimpse at how friendly the Polynesians can be.  On Fatu Hiva the small community of 200 people welcomed us and were generous with their hospitality, inviting us to a Fathers’ day celebration after church.  In church we became hooked on the Polynesian singing, which has to be heard to be believed.

After Fatu Hiva we sailed north to Hiva Oa, where we cleared in, re-provisioned (French bread and croissants being a real treat) and hired a 4WD car to travel to the north of the island over progressively bad roads to the small village of Puamau where we saw a famous Tiki site (ancient stone statues carved by the first settlers of the islands) and where again we were invited to take part in a local lunch celebration.

From Hiva Oa we sailed south-west to Tahuata and enjoyed 3 anchorages although the swell in each made going ashore a perilous affair.  The highlight of the frist anchorage was spending a lazy hour snorkelling with a school of manta rays.  Again in the village of Vaitahu we were overwhelmed by the generosity of the locals, and by the beauty of the surroundings.  Lovely, lovely islands.
Date(s): June and July 2007. Album by Gerard Coulson. Photos by Gerard Coulson. 1 - 65 of 65 Total. 11258 Visits.
Start SlideshowSelect images and click to download to your computer 
Enlarge photo 1

The Myrdinns welcome us in

Enlarge photo 2

We arrive with the supply boat.  Dropping off a car

Enlarge photo 3

The wharf at Fatu Hiva

Enlarge photo 4

Lots of locals gather when the supply boat comes in

Enlarge photo 5

Marquesas 06

Enlarge photo 6

Local girls selling trinkets

Enlarge photo 7

The sea wall protects the wharf.  Supply boat in the anchorage

Enlarge photo 8

Local church

Enlarge photo 9

Tourist from the supply boat, and kids from yachts at anchor watch a coconut being emptied

Enlarge photo 10

Our first taste of Polynesian dancing

Enlarge photo 11

Luckily all these tourists left after an hour ashore

Enlarge photo 12

Marquesas 13

Enlarge photo 13

The boys playing on the sea wall

Enlarge photo 14

Marquesas 15

Enlarge photo 15

Marquesas 16

Enlarge photo 16

Marquesas 17

Enlarge photo 17

After the Sunday service

Enlarge photo 18

Marquesas 19

Enlarge photo 19

Fatu Hiva anchorage

Enlarge photo 20

Marquesas 21

Enlarge photo 21

Marquesas 22

Enlarge photo 22

Ashore on Hiva Oa, at the Tiki site

Enlarge photo 23

Marquesas 24

Enlarge photo 24

Marquesas 25

Enlarge photo 25

Marquesas 26

Enlarge photo 26

Marquesas 27

Enlarge photo 27

Marquesas 28

Enlarge photo 28

Marquesas 29

Enlarge photo 29

Marquesas 30

Enlarge photo 30

Marquesas 31

Enlarge photo 31

Marquesas 32

Enlarge photo 32

Ernst, from Myrdinn

Enlarge photo 33

Marquesas 34

Enlarge photo 34

Marquesas 35

Enlarge photo 35

Marquesas 36

Enlarge photo 36

Marquesas 37

Enlarge photo 37

Marquesas 38

Enlarge photo 38

Marquesas 39

Enlarge photo 39

Marquesas 40

Enlarge photo 40

Marquesas 41

Enlarge photo 41

The beach at Puamau

Enlarge photo 42

The kids play in the surf

Enlarge photo 43

Marquesas 44

Enlarge photo 44

These ladies are playing Bingo!

Enlarge photo 45

The church at Puamau, where we joined a celbration lunch.

Enlarge photo 46

Marquesas 47

Enlarge photo 47

Marquesas 48

Enlarge photo 48

Sailing to Tahuata

Enlarge photo 49

We leave Hiva Oa astern

Enlarge photo 50

Marquesas 51

Enlarge photo 51

Hanamoena, a beatiful anchorage on Tahuata.  Getting ashore in the surf was dreadful!

Enlarge photo 52

Leaving Hanmoena astern

Enlarge photo 53

Marquesas 54

Enlarge photo 54

Sailing peacefully down the western side of Tahuata

Enlarge photo 55

Ashore at Vaitahau

Enlarge photo 56

Looking down on Clarabella and Meta in the anchorage off Vaitahau

Enlarge photo 57

The cross overlooking a headland

Enlarge photo 58

The anchorage

Enlarge photo 59

Brother and sister

Enlarge photo 60

Vaitahau

Enlarge photo 61

The vatican-sponsored church in Vaitahau - a beautiful place to enjoy the singing on Sunday

Enlarge photo 62

Marquesas 64

Enlarge photo 63

Marquesas 65

Enlarge photo 64

Marquesas 66

Enlarge photo 65

Clarabella, Meta and Myrdinn at anchor

 
 Select All.