Second stop in Nuku Hiva: Anaho bay.

We sailed past some spectacular mountains and cliffs on the 4 hour sail to Anaho bay from Controllers bay. Anaho bay had a smooth anchorage with little swell and some amazing views from the mountain ridge.   The water was clear and we done some nice snorkeling.   The micro village here can only be accessed by boat or a 2 hour hike over a mountain ridge making it a special place.

On the way to Anaho bay from Controllers bay.  

The rock formations in these islands are unique.

Just like what you imagined a tropical island paradise to look like right?

Low tide at Anaho.

Rock or crab?

Looks like someone ate one of my claws.  No biggy it will grow back.

Nikki's prized cotton ball.  

These are some views you get of Anaho bay when you go for a walk to the shops.  Walk to shop = 2 hours one way to Hatiheu.

Ronnie & Chris from SV Ladybug and I on the ridge.

The isthmuth.

The Tikis in Hatiheu are some of the best around.   Look closely and you can see the shamen holding and infant which is about to be put to death and eaten.   Apparently the first born from each family were ritually killed and eaten.

Bowl of infant heads.

Restored Marquesan pae pae.  The stones are original and the building is a replica.

Back to Anaho bay.   We met a local character named Kareem who told us many stories about his exploits from Polynesian voyaging canoes to nano particle reactors.  Above is his house on his own private beach made from floatsome and used building materials.   We had dinner with him and his family at the other end of the bay.  When you order dinner here for tomorrow, you will see them leave on their boat to catch the fish fresh.  You hear the bleating of the goats being chased though the bush and see them walking the tidal flats for octopus.   No going to the supermarket!

Karen, Chris, Ronnie, Mike, Dennis, Nikki, Kareem before dinner.

 

This house was lifted of its foundations when it was hit by the tsunami that devastated Thailand and Sri Lanka in 2004.   The Marquesas were hit but I do not believe anyone was killed.  In some areas they reported a huge reduction in tide many meters below normal levels which then surged back few meters above normal hightide levels.   This happened around 3 times in 20 minute cycles, which was enough for locals to catch on and grab all the lobsters off the rocks on the low water between surges.  Risky business but we were told the lobster catch was good.

Jam session at Anaho.

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