Some Photos From Our Tours Of Hiva-Oa.

We hired a car today and made a tour of the Island. Drove only 130 km, but the few roads here are very poor and one can only drive here with a 4x4 wheel car. Today's and Chris's arrival photos selection is:

Chris arrives in Hiva-Oa after 30 h travelling and 22 h flights.

I had arranged a welcome music and dance at the airport.

Huge and delicious Grapefruits, just to pick.

Bananas the same way.

A hotel "The Pearl Lodge" behind the bay we anchored in.

Jacque Brel's airplane and his museum.

Visiting the Tiki's sites, all well hidden in the Jungle and very difficult to find.

A Tiki.

On our way (long) to find the "Smiling Tiki". Only a 4X4 wheel drive car can get here.

Coconuts all around us.

Why is he smiling? Guess it is that once we found him, he smiled at all our efforts to find him.

Jon in action to pick Mango fruits.

Today's selection of fruits, picked by ourselves.

Hiva-Oa, Marquises.

After arriving in Hiva-Oa we anchored in the poorly protected Taahugu Bay next to Atuona town. It is very rolly here and the wind tend to come from all directions, and as there are many yachts anchored here, it is necessary to use two anchors, which is a delicate work to set up. Fortunately a French friend from Max (Amel 54) came over with his tender and gave us a hand. Our second anchor is, I believe, about 15 kg and has 15 m chain and 100 m rope, which we set out aft.

We went into Atuona yesterday and it is very small with basically just one street. We went up to the cemetery where Paul Gaugain and Jacque Brel are both buried. Paul Gaugain lived on the island for 3 years and died in 1903. Jacque Brel lived here for four years and died in 1978. 

We visited the painter's museum and the reproduction of his house. He was very unpopular in most of the places he has lived in and when he died the people burned his house, but later on realized that they could make money on him, so they rebuild it and made the museum.

New Dawn at the "Traitors Bay".

The grave of Jacque Brel.

The grave of Paul Gaugain.

Jacquel Brel arrived here in his 20 m ketch and stayed here planning to build a house on the hills, but he died from heavy smoking (40 cigarettes a day) before he could realize his dream house. He became very popular with the population. 

The view from the cemetery.

These are Bread Fruits. Resembles potatoes and cooked in a similar way.