Nuku Hiva

What and where is Nuku Hiva?  It is part of the Marquesas Island group and is in the middle of exactly nowhere (only 6 of 11 islands are inhabited).  It is 500 miles from its nearest neighbor (the Tuamotu group) and 3,700 miles from the nearest continent (South America).  The TV show, Survivor, was filmed here in season 4.  The island was formed from several volcanoes, and the highest peak rises to 3,888 feet.  This island is noted for its stone relics and tikis. This is a tropical island, but doesn’t really look like one from where we sit anchored in Taiohae Bay.  I think this is a port-of-call because if we didn’t see land soon, people might go crazy and mutiny? 

                                                                   

There is not much to do here, but it is land and we can walk on it.  The scenery is ho hum, but it is nice to see after 10 days of only ocean and sky for scenery.  There were no scheduled excursions, and if you wanted to explore the island, you could hire a local to take you around.  So what did we do here?

We anchored in a well protected bay on the south side of the island.  After a leisurely breakfast, we tendered to shore and were greeting with locals serenading the arriving passengers.  The weather was somewhat overcast and it was a bit humid, so it wasn't too bad for a stroll around the area.   Our plan to go to the beach and swim was dashed due to the overcast weather and the cannibals*, and frankly, because we weren’t sure about where to go.  We did see a beach that was within walking distance, but it didn't look too inviting.  Apparently, there are black sand beaches here, but they are loaded with sand fleas.  I think going back to the ship and sitting by the pool makes more sense.  Anyway, we walked around the principal village on Nuku Hiva, and looked through the craft market; there were beautiful wood carvings, and necklaces and bracelets.  There was nothing I wanted or needed. 

There was a produce market selling the largest fruit I have ever seen.  Bunches of bananas were hung from posts, and the vegetables were mutants, they were so large.  Some items I did not recognize.  Since it was Sunday, most stores were closed.  However, in our stroll around the bay and the village, all we saw was a bank and a small grocery store.  Maybe we saw the whole village and that was that.  We by-passed going up the hill to see a church with carved wood decorations.  We found out too late that this was something worth seeing.  Oh well, next time.  It was getting quite warm, and I was getting overheated.  I don’t do heat and humidity very well.

There were many children, and they seemed curious about us and would wave.  I saw some little girls making small flower bouquets wrapped with ribbon, and I asked if I could take their picture.  Kids are natural hams and they agreed.  I showed them their picture and they really enjoyed seeing it.  The girls in this picture gave me one of the bouquets they were working on.  That is my souvenir -- photos and my words.

There was a troupe of Tahitian singers and entertainers that board the Quest for the trip to Tahiti.  We sat on the pool deck, enjoying the entertainment during sail away. 

I had a foo foo rum drink and I now understand that was a dumb move for me.  I have absolutely NO tolerance for alcohol.  I just want to curl up and take a nap.  Unfortunately, I have to go to dinner at Restaurant 2, the prefix specialty restaurant.  I DO NOT WANT TO EAT ANYMORE FOOD!!!!!!!  Addendum:  I did go to dinner, but only lasted through the first course.  Jan and Fred were gracious hosts and said to go to bed.  Michael gave me a look that I interpreted as:  why on earth did you eat a snack and have a drink earlier when you know how it affects you.  As I write this, I don’t know if what I did eat is going to stay down.  It was a foo foo drink and I was thirsty….. I had no idea that something with a little rum would make me feel sick.

I am going to teach two more iPad classes on the next two consecutive days at sea.  I am OK with doing this.

*Prior to the Europeans arrival, the locals practiced human sacrifices and ritual cannibalism.  They were heavily tattooed to frighten their enemies and fought inter-tribal wars.   I saw one man today who was heavily tattooed, and I suppose the nature of humans hasn’t really changed that much as inter-tribal warfare is still going on around the globe.  I did not see any cannibals.

One funny aside, people waiting in line for the tender kidded me about going to shore to open an iPad stand to give advice to the locals.  Ha ha!