This is the southwest rocky shore of Hiva Oa, as seen from the Bordelais Channel.  This channel is a windy passage between Hiva Oa and Tahuata, which is the island just south of Hiva Oa.

Approaching the shore of Tahuata

View of Hiva Oa as we approach Tahuata

Our first anchoring attempt at Hana Moe Noa beach, Tahuata,  we ended up dragging anchor -- this was the reason why!  Next try the anchor held just fine.

Michael lands the dinghy on the shore of Hana Moe Noa beach.

View of beautiful Hana Moe Noa beach from on shore (our little dinghy is in sight)

 Snorkeling view at Hana Moe Noa

Approaching Ua Pou late afternoon

The clouds finally retreat and give us a glimpse of the volcanic spires as seen from Hakahau Bay, Ua Pou

This is a community building on the beach, commonly called a "marche" ("market" in French).  The artisan fair was held here for the tourists travelling on the Aranui 3.  On Saturday when we arrived there was an enthusiastic sing-a-long happening here marche to the accompaniment of synthesizer and ukulele.

Sharon and tropical flowers in "downtown" Hakahau, Ua Pou

Hakahau community fire truck with the flowering bush just seen in the photo above

Contemporary sculpture in the Arts Complex built for the Marquesan Arts Festival, Hakahau, Ua Pou

Catholic church in Hakahau

Inside the Hakahau church.  Notice intricate wood carving including the ship's bow-shaped pulpit and the hand carved drum

Jean-Claude, his wife Maire, and family.  Jean-Claude was playing the ukulele at the art fair in the marche.  We went up to compliment him. 

 
Sharon gets a lesson from Jean-Claude.  We purchased the ukulele from the maker, Bruno  It has a beautiful sound.

 
 Left to right:  Maire, Jean-Claude, Bruno -- the wood carver who made the ukulele, Vanessa --Bruno's wife, and Sharon 

Larabeck (sailing vessel on left), Clara Katherine (sailing vessel on right), and the Aranui 3 in the background as it unloads cargo.  Incidentally, the American captain of the Clara Katherine plays button accordion.  We had a jam session on his boat later that evening.

View of the cargo just unloaded on the dock from the Aranui 3.  Everyone shows up for the event to claim their orders.

A dancer poses for a picture in front of the drums after the performance at Rosalie's Restaurant, where the Aranui 3 passengers lunched after entertainment.  There was plenty of food, so Rosalie sold us some lunch too : )

Youngsters get a lesson from the ukulele maestro in the older marche on the beach (older and more elaborate than the one where the artisans were set up).  The building's sides are open air, so we took a seat in the shade and breeze and listened for a while.

Taiohae Bay, Nuka Hiva.  View from the park on west side of beach with contemporary sculptures.  The Larabeck is out there somewhere.

 Another view from the same beach.  If one knows to look for it, one can see the faint outline of Ua Pou in the background.

 Another sculpture on the same beach.  The photo was snapped just as a wave hit the wall behind the tiki and the sea-water was spraying straight up.

 The gate to the formal church yard (as seen from the church side).  On Friday night we listened to a large group singing Marquesan songs on the plaza on the opposite side of this gate.  The church and the plaza are situated on an ancient ceremonial site.

We visited with Rose Corser, a former art teacher, in her museum and boutique.  She came to Nuka Hiva from California on a sailboat with her husband in the 1970s.  She sold their profitable hotel, Keikahanui,  and is now building a new one, He'e Tai Inn.  She also likes to visit with "yachties," as she calls people like us : )