From Fata Hiva we made the 45 mile trip to the village Atuona on the island of HIva Oa. Atuona and Taiohae on Nuka Hiva are the two main entry points for boats clearing into the Marquesas and the anchorage was crowded with new arrivals. A new experience for Christine, given the 1+ mile from the dinghy landing to town, she discovered the art of hitchhiking. We got a ride with a Frenchman on the way in and a a Finnish lady on the way out. As beautiful as it is, the anchorage was very congested and uncomfortable. The next morning we headed to the island of Tahuata. Hanamoenoa bay is the most popular anchorage on Tahauta. But it looked crowded on our first pass, so we continued to the village of Vaitahu. There was a multi-island football (soccer) tournament happening. A shoreside football filed was quite a view – you’d better make sure not to kick the ball too off. Ashore we found a small archeological museum and met Emily, a grad student from Boston. Helping with the English / French translation, her host-sister walked home and came back with two huge bags of fresh fruit. Refusing to take any money, we gave her a chocolate bar and a small golden pig Christine had from China. She was thrilled with the little pig – and we were equally thrilled with the fruits. The most amazing sight was the Catholic church in the middle of the village, stone arches, wooden windows and doors curved with Marquesans motifs – she was magnificent. We did another nice dive north of the village. Visibility was not as good as Fatu Hiva, but decent. We experienced for the first time swimming with thousands of fish – unreal. Sunday we moved back to Hanamoenoa bay to socialize with a couple of the boats we met in Fata Hiva. Well, it is crowded for very good reasons. Sendy beach, crystal water, and great snorkeling. The next morning we heard people in the water at 6:30am – and sure enough 3 or 4 giant manta rays were swimming in the bay. Monday afternoon we had the pleasure of welcoming our friends the Hamilton’s on Nordhavn Dirona, who arrived from Oa Pou. We had a great time catching up over a couple of Margaritas and will spend the next couple of days with them. It is somewhat Ironic that a chance meeting on our first outting on Gray Matter has now lead to a reunion two years later, 5000 miles from Roche Harbor. We are sitting in the southern most anchorage on Tahuata – just the two Nordhavns – waiting for the Nordhavn marketing team to arrive for the photoshoot. This morning before leaving with Dirona, we had special visit with the giant Manta Rays.right at Gray Matter. Christine befriended 4 or 5 of the giant manats, and swimming more than an hour together (with the go-pro camera) captured some great footage of these graceful rays. We are likely to have internet connectivity when we arrive in the Tuamotos Friday or Saturday and will be sure to upload the video. We’ve now been in the Marquesas Islands three weeks, at least once a day one of us says “can you believe we are here, this is really living the dream”.

We arrived here Sunday morning after making the all night passage from Ua Pou. The passage had wind and waves on the portside, so we had a bit of a rough ride and with salt everywhere. Timed perfectly with our arrival, one of those tropical downpours fell like a car wash; sure enough after we anchored, the boat was squeaky clean. By all previous standards, this is a crowded anchorage – 6 boats. The only place to drop the anchor was in 100 feet of water, so we let out 350 feet of chain and haven’t moved in the last two days. There is a steady offshore breeze with occasional gusts (williwaws) which makes for the perfect temperature inside and outside. We were told by many that this is the most spectacular anchorage in the Marquesas and we definitely agree. Giant black lava rocks peak though lush mountain ranges; coconut trees cover cliffs surrounding the anchorage. With the scenery, the moderate temperatures, and clear water visibility, this is the place to stay. Yesterday, we tested a dive just on the north side of the anchorage. With visibility of 50+ feet, we were treated by a wall of coral and tropical fish in 84 degree water. We saw several octopus, gliding along crevices, quickly changing colors to fit in the environment. Eels stuck their heads out through rocky holes, checking us out. Deep down at 80 feet, I looked up along the sharp underwater cliff, thousands of silver trouts hovering right above – it felt like magic. We didn’t see any of the big fish (sharks, mantas) that are rumored to be here – will be looking for them on today’s dive. Last night, one of the boats in the anchorage coordinated with a local family to prepare a polynesian dinner. We joined 10 other cruisers (2 boats from Germany, 1 from Finland and 3 American boats) for chicken, fish, papaya salad, coconut milk, banana feast. Between the company and the bit of music the host provided at the end of the night, it was a unique and memorable experience to say the least. We have limited (Iridium) internet access, so will have to wait to post pictures.

We’ve now spent a week in the Marquesas Islands, and have been relaxing (and not posting). We spend a couple days at Taiohae, the main village on Nuku Hiva, cleaned up and provisioned Gray Matter with tropical fruits and French bread.

Taiohae in the morning sun.

The main road

The bank.

Taiohae anchorage. Next to the 146-foot Sarassa, Gray Matter looks small.

Morning market.

When a southeast swell rolled into the anchorage, we decided to explore other anchorages on Nuku Hiva, in hope of smoother water. On Wednesday, we went around to the north side of Nuku Hiva and anchored at Pou and Hatiheu. The landscape at each anchorage is majestic, with sharp rainforest mountains reaching 2000 feet from sea level. The first anchorage had a small plantation and the second anchorage Hatiheu, the writing home of Robert Lewis Stevenson. Unfortunately, neither anchorage was very smooth. On Friday, we set “sail” for the uninhabited out islands – Eaio (yes all vowels) and Hatutu.

Odyssey at Pou.

Spectacular mountain peaks at Hatiheu.

Hatiheu’s iconic church.

The anchorage at Eiao was directly on the leeward side, good chance to be sheltered from wind and well. It was spectacular and 20+ giant Manta rays glided right next to the boat as we pulled into the anchorage. To our surprise, swells still wrapped around and made their way into the anchorage. As this is the only anchorage among these out islands, we stayed – good thing we still have our sea legs.

Sunset at Eiao.

After rock & roll all night, we got underway first thing the next morning, to visit the Indian Rock on the north tip of Hatutu. This route is primo fishing and we weren’t gonna pass on this opportunity. We put three lines in the water plus two decoys. Action started soon enough – we trolled right through a feeding frenzy. Something HUGE hit the decoys (which have no hooks) breaking the 150lb test line. All three rods got hit the same time. The spinning rod was running out so fast – we had no hope to save the line there (it’s only 30lb test). Christine put the boat in slow idle and jumped on the marlin lure, while I were reeling in the feather lure. Giving each of the fish some line to run so they are tired when they get to the boat, the first fish in the boat was a 20lb Rainbow Runner (jack family – very eatable), and the second was a smaller 15lb Yellowfin tuna. Feeling lucky we put the lines back out and hooked another two fish at the same time, one got off, and we got a second 15lb Yellowfin. With three fish to clean we decided we’d take a rest. The freezer is fully packed now.

The Indian Rock. Supposely great diving, but the condition was too rough.

Arriving just at sunset, we finally found a smooth anchorage on the north side of Nuku Hiva – Anaho. This is truly a paradise. 3-4 beach houses tucked in sandy beaches and spectacular mountain ranges. Sunday morning we explored with the paddleboards and then enjoyed a scuba dive off the anchorage. With 86+F water temperatures, it’s a pleasure to dive without any wetsuits.

Approaching Anaho at sunset.

Best anchorage on Nuku Hiva, Anaho.

We plan to get fuel in Taiohae Monday or Tuesday and then continue to explore the other islands.