We ended up in Apataki by pure chance. Being indecisive about the multitude of atolls in the Tuamotus we narrowed our list down to two.
Nope Nothing To See Here
After leaving “that one island where everyone was wasted” we had a great over night passage to Nuku Hiva, the biggest island in the Marquesas.
We’re currently in the third island group in French Polynesia – the Society Islands. We landed at Papeete, Tahiti, on Tuesday morning and were thrust headfirst into the biggest city we’d seen in months.
On one of our many dinghy rides on Fatu Hiva we spotted an interesting hole cut through the rock cliff face just outside the anchorage in Hanavave.
On the passage from Mexico to the Marquesas I read two books by Thor Hyerdahl (Fatu Hiva and Kon Tiki).
I have always liked tattoos, Polynesian style in particular. Living in Florida isn’t the best place to find a good Polynesian artist, so when I was invited on this trip one of the first things I did was start researching tattoos and artists of French Polynesia.
I never thought much about getting a tattoo. Not that it bothered me or was too permanent, the thought just had never crossed my mind before sailing to the Marquesas. Before the trip Erin and I read, and read, and read about the islands and people. We read cruising guides, travel guides, memoirs, fiction, and non-fiction books. In reading about the Marquesan culture the theme of tattooing is prevalent, dating to the earliest times of the culture. Men and women alike went under the needle, or boars tusk at the time, and had their bodies adorned with meaningful symbols.
This incredibly picturesque bay on Fatu Hiva is the stuff magazine covers are made of. In fact, the cover photo for Charlie’s Charts of the South Pacific (one of our many cruising guides) uses this photo to lure prospective buyers.
Diving with Mantas at Isla San Benedicto- Sailing SV Delos Ep. 4
SV Delos sailed from La Cruz, Mexico to Isla San Benedicto in the Revillagigedo Group en-route to Hiva Oa, Marquesas. We spent 6 days diving with manta’s, whales, and sharks and got some great footage!
Yesterday I had the 4 a.m. – 7 a.m. watch. After four days of sailing from Nuka Hiva, we were due to make landfall at Apataki atoll at 8 a.m. None of us had ever seen an atoll, nor had we sailed through a group of them.
Pacific Crossing Mexico to Marquesas, Part 3- Sailing SV Delos Ep. 3
SV Delos sailing from La Cruz, Mexico to Hiva Oa, Marquesas with a stop at Isla San Benedito in the Revillagigedo Islands. (Part 3)
Shortly after arriving in Puamau we saw a few locals in what looked to be the most promising surf break since Barra de Navidad in Mexico. The stern hook had barely hit the sand before Brady had his board down and was paddling towards the break.
After two days enjoying the cool, refreshing swimming hole at Hanamenu we decided to pick up the hook and continue east on our circumnavigation of Hiva Oa.
Pacific Crossing Mexico to Marquesas, Part 2- Sailing SV Delos Ep. 2
SV Delos sailing from La Cruz, Mexico to Hiva Oa, Marquesas with a stop at Isla San Benedito in the Revillagigedo Islands. Pacific Puddle Jump. (Part 2)
We spent the last week circumnavigating the island of Hiva Oa, hopping from bay to bay along the north side of the island. We’ve had some amazing experiences meeting locals and being introduced to the Marquesan lifestyle.
After spending three days in Atuona, Hiva Oa we decided to check out the north side of the island before heading to Fatu Hiva. We planned on leaving Atuona early so I went in to the little gas station for bread and tomatoes.
After spending three days in Atuona, Hiva Oa we decided to check out the north side of the island before heading to Fatu Hiva. We planned on leaving Atuona early so I went in to the little gas station for bread and tomatoes.
After spending a night in Baie Tahuku the Delos crew finally put their feet on terra firma for the first time in 25 days.