Friends in Hanavave

The village of Hanavave on the island of Fatu Iva has been one of our favorite spots, because we had such great adventures here and the people have been super sweet and generous. We will only spend a couple more days here, so I made some banana bread and delivered it to several people around the village.

The night of October 5^th , 2017 the full moon is rising over the village.

Our friend Mary, who was the one on the mountain, tending to her banana plantation, that told us we were on the wrong path to the waterfall, showed us how a modern Marquesan shreds a coconut using and electric machine with a toothed knob on the inside of a metal bowl.

These are red bananas. They must be cooked to be eaten.

Angel shows me how you just slice them up and fry them in the pan.

Her kitten is playing in Mike's crocks.

At Poi's house, one of the cousins is holding baby Poiani. Poi means sky and ani means paddler. So he is Poi's little sky paddler!! ;-)

The boys are playing marbles in the back yard.

Our friend Jacques has finished several large tiki carvings which they will sell in Tahiti in November. Mike helps display them for the photo with him.

The Marquesan cross, is carved like a tattoo in the butt of the tiki.

Jacques also has an electric coconut shredder and demonstrates to us how it works. The coconut chunks are caught from flinging by the metal bowl and you have to place a catchment bowl under to collect the shavings and juice.

So Mike offers to take a turn at it.

Once you have all the coconut shredded, place it in a cheese cloth and squeeze all the cooc milk out of it. Now you are ready to cook just about anything in it. (they boil meat in it or put it on raw fish and many other uses, and it is yummy!)

It is said that Polynesian babies rarely touch the ground, and so it seems. This adorable little girl checks me out while her Daddy is holding her.

Next is grandma's turn.

Finally Momma gets her back.

We took a short trip to the North of the anchorage in the dingy to see what was in that direction. Another interesting cave behind the rocks.

And the spot in the middle over the beach where there are no plants on the cliff is where a waterfall would be, if it was raining.

The Aranui 5, a half cruise ship, half cargo ship, steams into the bay from Omoa and drops anchor around mid day. They dropped off many passengers in Omoa who will walk the 4 hours to Hanavave on the steep curvy mountain road. Lucky for them it was a semi-cloudy day and not too hot!

Our artisan friends and the rest of the village are getting ready for them to arrive, setting up a tent to display their art work.

Down on the quay, the locals have brought their products to sell to the ship. And their fuel drums to be filled or exchanged.

A few people are waiting at what looks to be a bus stop, but really is just a covered sitting area. Notice the tiki by the launch ramp overlooking the harbor.

These lovely ladies are waiting to be whisked out to the ship to put on a show for the tourists. There are Mary's banana's ready to go too!

The copra is bagged and in the shipping crate.

The supply barge comes in with the heavy stuff, not much waterline left before sinking there! (or just looks like it I hope)

Apparently they don't use the crane to off load the barge, but a front end loader lifts up the heavy stuff to place on the quay.

Theresa's Magasin's truck is loaded and heading back to the store.

The tourists are finally arriving by road and they check out the art under the tent.

Jacques shows us that a wheelbarrow is not just a Marquesan truck, but also a lounge chair.

Mark and Cedric show their fancy necklaces while our friend Christian watches from his wheelbarrow lounge chair.

Wood carvings by Simon and Cici. Do you remember seeing them make these paddles in the earlier blog?

Poi's carving table. With our fish hook and ceremonial club which we will buy later.

Another table full of beautiful art work, including carved tikis, manta rays, turtles and a small club.

The men, including the little girl's dad play local music for the enjoyment of both the tourists and the locals.

The local aluminum boat fleet tied to the rocks, with our dingy hiding in the midst.

The Aranui 5 shuttle boat comes in to pick up the passengers.

Loaded with guests, they head back to the ship.

Away they go, beyond the rip rap which protects the harbor.

The sun is setting and this is the most beautiful time of day here. As the light changes, the wise man shows up, riding his camel.

Mary Magdalene is looking at her baby Jesus.

An orange glow is taking over the pinnacles and the goats are gathering.

Bay of Virgins is possible one of the most breathtaking anchorages on the planet, especially in the orange glow of the setting sun.

Many more goats collect to watch the sunset from the pinnacle.

The Aranui 5 is still anchored behind us as the sun drops and the clouds are a magnificent rosy pink.

The sun sets in a blaze of glory!

And we have grown to love this place and her people. It will be hard to leave.