Nuku Hiva, 6-16-2017--Collet Bay hike

We're just back from a great hike to Collet Bay, the next bay west of here. A big part of what made it great is that at 5 miles and 500' elevation gain, it's by far the most strenuous workout I've had since the illness began almost 6 weeks ago. It went well, though I'm sure we'll both be sore tomorrow.

On the way to the bay we passed the high school where an end of the school year celebration was underway. The gate into the event was closed, but when one of the teachers Pearl had gotten to know spotted us, he whisked us right in. A description of the event and the hike is in the photos below.

Looking ahead, our current plan is to do a driving tour of the east side of the island on Monday. That will include the valley where Melville spent time with a cannibalistic tribe that became the basis for the book Typee. We also hope to see several archeological sites and do a hike to Anaho Bay, reputed to be one of the most beautiful bays on the Island. We'll be going with Matt and Amy, an English couple who seem to have similar interests. Should be a fun day.

Looking further ahead, the weekend of June 29-July 1 marks the beginning of a month of celebrations throughout French Polynesia. We're still trying to figure out what's being celebrated and will report on that later. Meanwhile, booths are being set up all along the waterfront road, so it looks to be a big event.

We'll probably clear out of French Polynesia right after that, on July 2^nd or 3^rd. Then we'll once again be at sea, heading to the Tuamotu Archipelago.

Pearl and the high school history teacher.  We don't even know his name but he recognized us from the Snack and whisked us right into the celebration.

Bocce ball is a serious sport here in the Marquesas

This is the first time we've ever seen a lime used as the bocce palino.

A drum group from the local elementary school.  These kids were amazing.  They did close to two dozen drum routines, some of them quite complicated and all perfectly coordinated.  

After the school event, we passed a monument to Herman Melville.  This is where he jumped ship and hiked overland to the valley of Typee.

Looking back over Taiohae Bay (where we're anchored) from the ridge between it and Collet Bay

Collet Bay

We came upon a homestead several acres in size at the edge of Collet Bay where an impressive variety of food was being grown.  In addition to dozens of beehives were coconuts, pamplemousse, limes, bananas, green apple and breadfruit. 

Limes

Pamplemousse