Arrived here in Hiva Oa on Saturday and were just in time for the welcome party complete with local dancers all dressed in traditional grass skirts and brightly coloured clothing. Everyone was presented with a garland of flowers placed around your neck like a necklace. These flowers were scented and the smell has lasted right up until today when there is just a faint aroma.
We have only just got a decent Internet connection arranged so only now can we e mail and update this blog!!
Have had a good chance to explore the small town of Atuona which is about a 30 minute walk from the anchorage or a much shorter 5 minute taxi ride! Met up with Phil and Andrea from Anastasia on Saturday night and they cooked us dinner which was great as we were both tired from the long passage. David & Alison spent the night ashore with several other crews at a nearby restaurant.
Sunday afternoon saw most of the crews at a nearby bar and restaurant run by Alex and an interesting dinner was served which consisted of many small plates of local fruits and other sweet dishes with some bread and one really good fish dish with not much fish!
Monday afternoon we went up to Hanakee Pearl Lodge Hotel with Phil and Andrea for a swim in the pool and dinner. Dinner was gorgeous and although expensive the men had great steaks and the girls had fish dishes with a very nice French wine. This is French Polynesia and the language is French and the shops sell baguettes by the armful. Nota lot of vegetables to be found here but the local fruit is good. Huge Pamplemousses which are a sweet grapefruit pale green in colour. The locals are all very friendly and say bonjour to you. My rusty French is improving daily!!
There is still one boat out there Peat Smoke who are expected to arrive Friday so we have decided to wait for them to come in before we depart as they have had a long tedious passage with numerous problems and breakdowns.
The plan is to sail to Nuka Hiva which is the largest of the Marquesas islands at the weekend.
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