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. 15715 Visits.
1 The Myrdinns welcome us in
2 We arrive with the supply boat. Dropping off a car
3 The wharf at Fatu Hiva
4 Lots of locals gather when the supply boat comes in
5 Marquesas 06
6 Local girls selling trinkets
7 The sea wall protects the wharf. Supply boat in the anchorage
8 Local church
9 Tourist from the supply boat, and kids from yachts at anchor watch a coconut being emptied
10 Our first taste of Polynesian dancing
11 Luckily all these tourists left after an hour ashore
12 Marquesas 13
13 The boys playing on the sea wall
14 Marquesas 15
15 Marquesas 16
16 Marquesas 17
17 After the Sunday service
18 Marquesas 19
19 Fatu Hiva anchorage
20 Marquesas 21
21 Marquesas 22
22 Ashore on Hiva Oa, at the Tiki site
23 Marquesas 24
24 Marquesas 25
25 Marquesas 26
26 Marquesas 27
27 Marquesas 28
28 Marquesas 29
29 Marquesas 30
30 Marquesas 31
31 Marquesas 32
32 Ernst, from Myrdinn
33 Marquesas 34
34 Marquesas 35
35 Marquesas 36
36 Marquesas 37
37 Marquesas 38
38 Marquesas 39
39 Marquesas 40
40 Marquesas 41
41 The beach at Puamau
42 The kids play in the surf
43 Marquesas 44
44 These ladies are playing Bingo!
45 The church at Puamau, where we joined a celbration lunch.
46 Marquesas 47
47 Marquesas 48
48 Sailing to Tahuata
49 We leave Hiva Oa astern
50 Marquesas 51
51 Hanamoena, a beatiful anchorage on Tahuata. Getting ashore in the surf was dreadful!
52 Leaving Hanmoena astern
53 Marquesas 54
54 Sailing peacefully down the western side of Tahuata
55 Ashore at Vaitahau
56 Looking down on Clarabella and Meta in the anchorage off Vaitahau
57 The cross overlooking a headland
58 The anchorage
59 Brother and sister
60 Vaitahau
61 The vatican-sponsored church in Vaitahau - a beautiful place to enjoy the singing on Sunday
