Walking, Working, Waiting and Mangoes

Calm anchorages are a rarity here in the Marquesas, but even in 20 knot winds, Anaho Bay on the north side of Nuku Hiva was not rolly.  So we enjoyed a week catching up on boat projects – nothing serious, just maintenance (like oil changes, touch up stitching on the jib, etc).  Interspersed with swimming, the snorkeling was great, huge coral formations and still more new fish.  Hiking to a wind swept, crab and coconut strewn beach and in the other direction over a pass to the small village of Hatihue, then further on up the cross-island road to some huge archeological remains, superb views and saw two of the island’s endemic birds.  Then mangoes!!!  A friendly local went on about the virtues of mangoes and laughed at the visitors he sees coming down the trail dripping with yellow ooze.  Given peak mango season and high winds the ground was piled with rotting and freshly dropped fruit.  There was no holding back and we have devoured close on a hundred by now!  Returning to the main village to resupply and head for the Tuamotus our enthusiasm for departing was quelled by a large approaching weather system.  So we acted on prudence and waited for a more favourable looking window of weather; probably a good thing as the only vegetables we could buy on our planned departure morning was tomatoes and zucchini and we were wanting a months worth of goodies.  The Saturday market proved a little better as did the forecast and we departed in a pleasant 12kn easterly.