Nuku Hiva - a gentle stroll around the bay

It took us some time to get ashore this morning as a tropical rainstorm came in just after a sunny breakfast. It half filled the dinghy with fresh water!

However once ashore we had a hot sunny day and, as always in a new place, we were soaking up all the new sights. The bay curves in a full horseshoe, and we set off to walk along the sea front, from one side to the other. It was Sunday, so we didn't expect much to be open, but the only visible shop was in fact open and able to sell us eggs.

There was a fine archaeological site on the bay, restored as part of a Marquésan festival of culture, with great stone platforms, carved Tikis of warriors as a copy of a house.

We then gate crashed an inter-island school Pirogue competition, with boys and girls competing in long outrigger canoes, paddling at a great pace across the bay and back, with wild - of encouragement from their colleagues on shore.

Sketch of Taipaivai Bay, Nuku Hiva

Sketch of Taipaivai Bay, Nuku Hiva

Onwards we walked past pick-up trucks drawn up in the shade of trees fringing the bay, with coolers of blue Hinano beer cans and music on the car sound system.

We had heard there was a café at the far end of the bay, but it was shut. However, higher up the hill we spotted pool-side umbrellas, and when we arrived there drenched in sweat and mud spattered from the road, we were delighted to find our first sophisticated eatery with a little infinity pool overlooking the bay.

It was a very welcome stop for a lovely lunch and cold beer, enabling some wifi time and even a swim for Anne and Emily. Most relaxing !

Walking back we passed voting stations for the French Presidential election with a few posters of Fillon, Marine Le Pen, Mélenchon and Macron. People thought Macron and Le Pen would be the final two candidates. Women seemed to be wanting to vote for Le Pen, with no knowledge of her racist policies!