UA–POU

Tuesday 20 January – The island of Ua Pou is at 25 Miles south of Nuku-Hiva. In 4 hours of navigation we are there..

 

 

 

 

 

The island is impressive with its gigantic "sugar loaves° ( or Necks )basaltics that stand before us, as we get closer to it.

Mount OAVE rises to 1200m and the sky is rarely clear. 
HIKEU Bay – We decide to explore the west coast first. Hundreds of Electra dolphins (rare species that can also be seen around Hawaii)  follow us to the entrance of the bay. The bay is very open to the sea. We drop anchor, hoping that the swell will not become unbearable.
The dinghy is in the water and we observe the rhythm of the waves crashing violently on the pebble beach, leaving a beautiful foam behind them. This is not reassuring, The swell lifts us up and drags the dinghy towards the shore. We give up going ashore, Too bad!!
HAKAMAII Bay – The next day,  We change anchorages, The night was too agitated to stay there.... We drop anchor in front of the village and we see a fisherman who is desperately trying to get back to land with his canoe. We quickly understand that it will be impossible for us to set foot on dry land again, we set off again immediately.

VAIEHU Bay – We enter the bay with gusts of wind of 35 Knots and rough seas. We walk deep into the bay to see if it's quieter, but let's quickly turn around!!! Spending the night surrounded by rocks with such gusts of wind and rough seas, would not be prudent.

HAKAHAU Bay – We try to go to the main port on the northeast coast. The anchorage is complete behind the breakwater, All boats have stern anchors and getting behind one of them is impossible, due to lack of space. It's 5 p.m., and we spent the day looking for a quiet anchorage on UA PO...

Returning to NUKU HIVA in TAIOHAE is the only option, We will take the opportunity to do internet and some shopping.

Wednesday 28 January– HAKAETAU Bay- The weather is good to return to UA PO... We are alone at anchor this time, And it's an opportunity to stretch your legs..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday 29 January – We are going to see Jerome, A "popa" ( name given to the French),  which organizes hiking tours and has a small pension above the port. Unfortunately it is under construction and it does not have time to take us on the trails. Jérôme explains to us the only hike that you can do alone without getting lost.

The next day, It is in the middle of the "cagnard" that we start the expedition.. The trailhead is steep, Then it is in the acacia undergrowth that we continue to climb. …
A well-deserved stop... a little water and dried bananas!
Early afternoon,  We join the road hoping to meet at least one pickup truck that will take us to the village... The first car that passes stops.

Monday 02 February – Return to NUKU HIVA ANAHO Bay in the east of the island. We finally find clear water to swim... in the Marquesas it's rare.. 
A good walk of 1h30 is necessary to get to the village in the nearby bay. The post office and Philippe trying to access the internet!!!
HAKAUI Bay – We stayed a few days and went back to HAKAUI where Mathias and Monette had organized a barbecue... menu... grilled goat cheese and pig prepared by Richard… There are quite a few sailboats and everyone cooks a dish to contribute to the party...

The weather forecast announced a change in the wind that allowed us to go to Hiva-Oa under sail and in a straight line (without tacking).  The next day we say goodbye to Monette and Mathias who welcomed us to their valley as long-time friends. And of course they fill our annex with fruit...