Shelly's Birthday and hike

Ocotber 2017

The bay of Hanatefau is also known as dolphin bay. Almost every day we were anchored here a large pod of dolphins would come to visit.

The swell was rolling in under the boat creating quite a lovely sound as they washed up on to the rocks. Water running off.

Same spot, a big swell comes in.

Then lots of water loudly runs off.

There is a low rock in the water near us. Now you see it.

Now you don't.

And it comes right back between swells.

We went to Hapatoni village on the day of my birthday to make some phone calls from this superman pay phone right by the ocean.

Big majestic shade trees line the road in Hapatoni.

Makes for a lovely walk.

One of the big trees by the church and Shelly.

Me in my flower crown at a shaded rest stop with tikis carved in the posts.

A lovely little spot to stop and rest.

The path to Tahina's blue house where we can get internet.

The ladies of the village all play bingo every afternoon in the shade of the porch on the artisan display house.

Tahina and I both dressed in purple on my birthday at her house. Such a sweet lovely lady.

We see more of the braided palm fronds for the festival drying in the sun.

They are stacking them up in the community building before delivering them to Vaitahu.

Birthday sunset was not a disappointment.

The sky grows orange as it touches the horizon.

I was trying to photograph the elusive green flash. I kind of got it here.

The next day, we decided to hike the other direction from the village this time, toward the South. The road goes up hill down there and turns to concrete.

It is only one lane, but it goes up fast and we start to get a view.

That is Hiva Oa in the distance and the village of Vaitahu is just past the last point you can see.

The road turns back to dirt and we can see the anchorage behind us now.

Still fairly steep, but the road remains dirt, dividing the tropical plants.

Someone's house with an awesome view.

These trees looked to be growing white grapes, but they were too high for us to reach to see if they really were.

Then the road turned back into concrete as we were getting closer to the top.

A view of Hanatefau bay, with banana and Kapok trees in the foreground.

Avatar in the distance, patiently waiting for our return.

Looking back at the steep part we just climbed and toward Hiva Oa in the distance.

Something you will never see from the deck of a boat. The white on the sea is a reflection of the cloud above it. This can only be seen from high up!

Now we have a good view of Hanatefau bay and the island of Tahuata. You can even see the light colored sandy bottom of the bay in spots.

We are getting closer to the top and the road turns back to dirt again.

Now on the South side of the ridge we get a different view of the peak.

We spotted a small cove down below us.

This bay is wide open to the southerly swell, but looks lovely from up on the hill.

The road continues to the other side of the island and another village, but we had gone about as far as our feet and the heat of the sun would let us, so we headed back to Hapatoni.

The Fairy turns here were checking us out as they do their aerobatics on the updrafts.

This one just about dive bombed me as he glows from the sun.

This was a tiny little flower on the side of the road. I did not even see the ant until I was looking at the photos!

Some beautiful red flowers back at Tahina's house.

She takes us out back to pick some mangoes and papayas.

Using a net at the end of a long stick is how she got them down with out damaging them. These are papaya.

These are mangoes.

Mike removes Tahina's prize from the net.

Me with one of Tahina's nephews who is the dance troupe leader for the island of Tahuata! (and that is a big job with the festival coming up!)

Mike has nothing on this guy's tattoos!

Vaitahu Village

The main village on Tahuata is about 1.5 miles from the anchorage at Hanatefau, so we decided to dingy down there and check out this village where the festival will be held. We wanted to see it as it normally is before lots of people show up. On the way we pass some magnificent mountains and cliffs.

There is quite a bit of surge at their quay with no breakwater to protect it. We are tied up with a stern anchor behind the local boat.

The locals were working like mad to get ready for the festival, about 2 months away. Using a machine to drill holes in the rock,then place a threaded piece of steel into the cliff and bolt the chain link to the cliff to make sure no rocks slide down on top of people.

The first house we come to has those pretty multicolored flowers planted above their stone wall.

This is a beautiful big bay!

Now this house has good flow through ventilation! Needed in the tropics!

At the local Magasin (store), they have carved tikis in their support beams.

This thatched roof building is part of the mayor's complex.

One of the most beautiful churches we have seen grace this lovely village. This was the site of the first Catholic service held here in 1595, and this church was financed by the Vatican itself and opened in 1988.

It is built of stone and wood.

The 4 meter tall (13+ feet!) wood carving of the Virgin with Child is a mix of Marquesan and Catholic cultures because of the way she is holding the child. And Jesus is holding an uru as an offering and a symbol of the Marquesas.

Inside the wooden ceiling is quite impressive.

And the stained glass above the altar is also distinctly Marquesan with their cross at the top.

A beautifully carved door on the side of the church.

The gothic arches make a magnificent reflection on the tiles.

And the stone archways above the doors.

The Marquesas were originally called Fenua Enata, which means the Land of Men, before the Spanish found it in 1595. This bay and village was the first place white man set foot ashore in all of these islands.

Part of a display near the mayors office.

Mike naps, while I call my parents for my birthday.

While waiting for the post office to reopen after lunch, we decided to walk the road out of town up to yet another cross over looking the bay. It was a bit steep!
But we hoped we would get a good view.

The cross at the top of the hill.

Looking down at the village of Vaitahu, it was worth the walk!

On the South side of the bay you can see the big building that will house all of the dancers from the other islands and the parade grounds where the opening ceremonies will be held. The point peaking out behind the close one is where Hapatoni is located.

The village rooftops are dominated by the church.

On the way back down the hill toward the village.

This puppy dog looks at us, while he wishes he could have some of the pig's food.

In the dingy on the way back to the boat, looking back at that lovely village and valley behind.

A big rock shoot in the cliffs.

Lots of palm trees on the hill before the anchorage.

These mountains look different in the afternoon sun than they did this morning. Still dramatic and magnificent though!

As it starts to set, the sun creates a shadow in the sky above this cloud.

It is going to be another green flash tonight!!