sailing was as fast as expected, but extremely exhausting due to the
endless squall's & rough sea's. Veronica's new founded knowledge of
Squalls, means she can very quickly predict there direction, speed &
strength & thus has gained great avoidance tactics. So i can finally
sleep soundly when veronica's at the helm on our new 2 hour's on &
off rota...
So what's Nuka Hiva famous for... other than being the capitol of the
Marquesas islands & center of the French Administration.. We'll, Nuka-
Hiva retains the third highest water fall in the world... Amazing who
would of know that?
Immediately on arrival... We began our quest to find the "Minister of
Agriculture" as we heard in Hiva Oa that should we wish to take Apple
( dog) ashore.. then Nuka Hiva is the only island to submit her
application..... ....So... After a very short walk followed by ..
another short walk... followed by another long walk..... we found the
"Ministry" opposite the local dentist, adjacent the third mango tree
on the left...
next thing we found ourselves sitting in silence in front of the very
official looking Minister, as he reviewed Apple's complete medical
history, blood test's, certificates of quarantine, entry visa's for
the UK, America & Mexico along with proof of vaccination.
occasionally he'd utter some abstract french word, for Veronica to
translate "occupation" she said..........!!! i'd answer...then he'd
immerse back into the piles of papers.. finally he lift his head and
made a series of noises /sounds followed by nodding his head
movements.....then he quickly stood up & shook my hand & led us out
the door...
later... Veronica explained that he wanted to visit our yacht..... &"
IF" he found everything in order & Apple in perfect health, he'd
submit her application to the Tahiti board of examiners.. Ummmm.... i
was beginning to wonder if i'd done the right thing in declaring
her... he'd also apparently recommend a local computer expert should
we need our yacht computer looked at..?
So we left a little concerned/ confused & not really sure what to tell
"Apple" (dog) on our return...? as should she be refused entry..
well, she'd have to either return to America Or more likely have to
stay aboard the yacht (officially)..
Anyhow... later the same day.. after a little provisioning of fresh
tomato's, mango's, green peppers, beer, pringle's... Well... now
being in possession of two broken Mac's. we decided to pay a visit
our new recommended computer expert....
Mmmmmmm... what a refreshing change from the minister of
agriculture... what a cool, relaxed, happy, english speaking,
cheerful guy, stood before us wearing a john wane style cowboy hat...
he seamed to be expecting our visit... & quickly changed the subject
from our broken computers.. to "action movies"... in fact he had a
movie that he'd written & he kindly went on to pitch me the whole
idea.. he seemed incredibly caught up in the passion of the film.. in
fact i got quite caught up in the script too...
Ummm??? then I suddenly "clicked".....I recognized him.....it was
the Minister of Agriculture... the very same person.. just dressed a
little more casual... yes thats 'it!! ... apparently he's was minister
from 8am-3pm then computer /film/guru from 3-6pm... a completely
different personality...
anyways needless to say.... "Apple" received her visa today & I'm now
directing an action movie staring the minister & set in Nuka Hiva &
the USA..... so she's free to go ashore through the islands for the
next years of our travels.. Cool!!
On tuesday we set off to find the water fall.. so we up anchored &
sailed round the island to re anchor in Anse Hakatea bay.. a
completely remote bay... filled with sharks & Manta rays.. with a
bright yellowish sandy beach, the sea was a little murky so we only
took a 10 min swim.... except "Apple" who jumped on the back of a
giant manta ray that swam to close to the yacht..
What an amazing 2 1/2 hour hike up to the water fall..... truly
magnificent.. worth the epic journey ...which entails crossing the
rapids back & fourth 3 times over the 10k hike.. we've now sailed
back to Taipae bay.... to begin planning a safe passage to & through
the Tuamotu islands , some 500 miles to our south/west.. the
"Tuamotu's" were names the "dangerous archipelago's" by the early
european navigators...
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