Arrival at Nuku Hiva

This island is the second largest in French Polynesia, Tahiti being the largest and it is the administrative head of the Marquesas Islands.  While it is a huge island it is sparsely populated with a population of only about 3500.  We anchored near the town of Taiohae in Taiohae Bay and tendered ashore. 

This day transferring to the tender was relatively easy.   Some days the surf and tide were such that the tender was not able to be snug to the ship’s boarding platform and four large men—two on the tender and two on the platform—took each of us by our arms.  The tender would move to and from the platform leaving a 1-2’ gap as it went away.  As the tender returned toward the platform they would shout “go” and we would be helped across onto the tender.  As sailors it was not a problem for us—although I was always grateful for the help—but I know many guests were not comfortable with this.  It seemed standard to the crew and great care was taken with each passenger as they boarded!

First views of the town of Taiohae, Nuku Hiva

The seas were calm this day and so our tender driver did not have to work hard trying to hold the tender close to the ship's boarding platform.