Tahuata

The island of Tahuata is just South of Hiva Oa. A chart of the island from Charlie's Charts of Polynesia will help you see where we are. It was December 11^th and we had to get back to Tahuata before the crowds arrive for the festival. We anchored near Hapatoni in our favorite bay Hanatefau on the SW side of the island.

When we were here before the bread machine was out of order, so by request we delivered 10 baguettes to our friend Tahina. Later we find the bread machine had been fixed, so it was not really necessary. Thank god they fixed it, with several thousand people about to descend on the island. Hanatefau was were we saw several green flash sunsets when we were here in October. So we watched hoping for another one.

This anchorage had some of the best sunsets we have seen in all of French Polynesia.

In order to see a green flash, you must have a clear shot to the horizon, with no clouds interrupting the view. So it was not to happen this night, but still quite lovely!

Close up, sometimes it seems I can hear the sun sizzle as it drops into the ocean. And I love how the tops of the little wavelets reflect the glow of the setting sun.

 

The next morning our friendly neighbors, the dolphins show up (we were told) to have sex in this bay!! We never actually saw it, but it seems like a good probability, because there are many of them and then they start jumping for joy. First, just a splash.

But with patience, and having my finger on the ready at the shoot button, I lucked out with this shot.

Then they swim around again.

And this guy must have had sex, he is doing a back flip!! He has a very white speckled belly.

Then they swim close together again. Only 9 showing in this shot, but there were likely at least a dozen of them.

We took the dinghy on the 1.5 mile ride North to Vaitahu, the main village where the festival will be held. The locals were practicing their dance, so we stopped in for a preview.

David, the fellow in red shorts with tattoos, is also a very good carver. He lives in Hapatoni village. Each Island will have its own dance troop for the festival, which come from all the villages on their islands.

It was interesting to note that many of the drummers from Tahuata were women! Drum on ladies!

Each dance tells a story. Sometimes on their feet, sometimes while sitting.

This young lady had the moves down pat!

Now the men are paddling onto the floor.

Dancing circles around their women.

I could feel the beat of the drums and Ukuleles pounding in my chest.

There are already half a dozen boats anchored in Vaitahu Bay and expecting a large crowd, not just of sailboats, but local boats too.

Transportation to Hapatoni by road requires 4 wheel drive!

The stage is empty waiting for the dancers to arrive, with an interesting almost spider like drawing on their wall.

Back at the Quay, the kids were having fun jumping and splashing around in the water.

Back in our tranquil bay of Hanatefau, it is time for another spectacular sunset!

Clouds are moving in and so are more boats!

The faster way to Vaitahu, this boat crosses the sunset in front of us on the way back to the village.

The sun is going, going........

Gone.

And the speed boat makes it back home to Hapatoni before dark.