Reunion at Nuku-Hiva

After 4000 miles driven in 23 days we land at the marquee on the island of Nuku Hiva. We find our friends with whom we had spent good times three years ago...

Crossing in quiet summer and despite the heavy swell the autopilot never lost the cap. The wind was fickle, and every day we taxied a marine weather with winds, waves and current in order to adjust the cap to optimize the road and our speed. We were allowed to make an average of more than 170 miles per day, with even days to around 250 miles!
  
From time to time a bird of the sea sits in front of Tao.
 
We meet several industrial fishing to more boats of 1500 miles from the nearest coast. They criss-cross the sea further schools of tuna... and there are few who survive!
 

Friday 21 July - Nuku-Hiva

As soon as the anchor in the black sand of the Bay of Taoihae, We're going to the "small dock '" say hello to Henry who still are snack – meeting point of the crews…
 
This is our "base camp" for the Internet connection, excellent meals of raw fish and grilled meat, and discussions with locals and transients like us. We find Patricia and Stefan, the crew of MILLY.

These are the feasts of Julys in Polynesia ("Heïva").  Each Valley has its dance group which prepares for several months for this competition. Tonight the last group of dance is its representation in the communal room and we jump on the opportunity to put us in the mood Marquesan.

The atmosphere is festive... and excellent local cuisine... as always in the Marquesas.

Wednesday 26 July - Valley of Hakaui

We look forward to meeting our friends who live in this isolated valley between cliffs.

There is only a few boats in the well-protected anchorage.

The vegetation is lush

with alleys well maintained.

Kua Teiki are still in their home and sell vegetables, juice and fruit sorbets, and offer traditional meals of local products to passing walkers and crews.

The reunion are warm and we spend some quality time together... often a good meal.

Teiki is a fighter and always ready for an adventure...

And fishing for Tao night gives him wings. It's the opportunity of a good evening and with the spots under the nacelle fish teem... He goes home with a bucket full.

A little further in the Valley, along the central aisle...

the House of Monette and Mathias is nestled in the greenery.

We are happy to find them and immediately conversations resume as if we had left them yesterday. They enjoy our back on Taiohae to come home with us. Monette always on deck in the wind and heavy swell.

Mathias tells always loads of story... sometimes a little difficult to follow with his accent and his french interspersed many marquesans words... and we laugh!  The next day he picks us alongside the"small" to invite us to eat with them in one of the shanties installed for the Christmas in July.

Again Hakaui is expected in a few days to get home Kua and Teiki, and help them maintain their garden and planting pineapples...