Taiohae Bay, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Archipelago, French Polynesia ~ Time to stretch our legs

We got a great reception from friends

Great to see the lush tropical islands after the arid flat coral motus of the Tuamotus.

After catching up with mates that had just arrived after their Pacific crossing, everyone was excited to stretch their legs.

Of course every hike from the coast line is UP and UP on these young volcanic islands, but our mates Gagi and Rudy were up for adventure. Little did they know my humans would get them lost!

Asking a local for directions. And yet they still got lost!

At least the humans had fun getting lost.

One of the advantages of hiking UP HILL is you get great views

The other advantage is it is all down hill home.

Of course my humans could not resist picking some freshly ripening fruit along the way. All just out of their reach. But you can take the easy route…….and just buy it.

In fact Nuku Hiva’s tropical climate and rich volcanic soil produces a profusion of fresh fruits and vegetables. Here is the humans hitting the early Saturday morning farmers market in true Pandemic form.

The fish market is on the same pier. The mixture of currents here produce a rich diversity of fish species including one of my humans favourites, Yellowfin Tuna.

Sunday, everything closes and the day is saved for family, friends and horses. Yes, horses! It seems everyone likes to take their horses for a bath on Sunday at the beach.

The local kids take over the Fisherman’s Pier on Sundays too. The multitude of grey sharks that swarm these waters when the fisherman come in and clean the fish do nothing to bother all these swimmers on Sundays.

Lots of sporting events in the bay on weekends as well.

The humans had a few boat repairs to complete,. Rudy was instrumental in finally solving our reacurring autopilot problem. But the humans still managed to get a few more hikes in. This one was to the waterfall and river that supplies the village water supply.

Again they dragged poor Rudy and Gagi on another hike for the view. This hike to the ridge that protects the mouth of the bay.

At least they locals were kind enough to erect a shaded gazebo to recoup under.

From up on the ridge the humans were able to spot their next adventure.

Manta ! So the next day they returned with snorkelling gear.

The humans were lucky enough to swim with the manta rays

All this hiking certainly effects the appetite. Thankfully Nuku Hiva has a bounty of wonderful new foods to try. The humans met a lovely local hunter, while walking me on the beach, and he was kind enough to GIVE them a whole shoulder of goat. With his cooking instructions in hand they prepared a feast for friends that was declared fit for a king. Everyone said it tasted like the best lamb. Well, except my vegetarian human.