#49 NOW May 8, 2005 - 1100 Marquesas time = UTC -9 ½ hours Anaho Bay, Nuku Hiva (North side of Island) Temp 90.3, Water Temp 88.7 Good Morning, I just awoke from my morning siesta. I have found that it complements and balances out the afternoon siesta. Life is definitely in the slow lane over here and we are assimilating its virtues with renewed lethargy. We left Taiohae Bay around 11:30 AM after picking up a few items at the local store. This included some cereal, a few cans vegetables, corn beef, and some cheese. This along with a couple loaves of French bread and a stalk of bananas and we were ready to circumnavigate Nuku Hiva. We first pulled into Hakatea Bay, which is about an hour from Taiohae. You may have recognized this name from the Survivor series that was filmed here a year or so ago. It is a fantastic Bay with towering spires surrounding it. The waters are protected by a headland and small reef that practically closes off the entrance. At the head of the bay is a small stream and sandy beach where they did most of the filming. We enjoyed some snorkeling and kayaking around the area. Well, Jim did the snorkeling while I nursed the water-maker. We spent one night at Hakatea Bay and then we were off around the island pulling into several coves along the protected west side of the Island. Rounding the Northwest corner of the Island, we spotted the airport with its control tower and two windsocks. Continuing along the North coast, we came to Anaho Bay. This is a lovely well-protected anchorage with sandy beaches and swaying palm trees on the shore. In the background are very rugged mountains with sheer cliffs that reach into the dark blue sky—just what you would imagine of a South Pacific Island. Once anchored, we went for a swim in the clear waters of the bay. Shortly, some little girls came out in a kayak to investigate. We tried to speak a little French and they tried to speak a little English, neither of us being very successful. I found some balloons and we all laughed at Jim turning blue trying to blow them up. Jim has lived around or in the water most of his life, and is very skilled at all water activities. He is a master at sailing, scuba diving, swimming and kayaking. However, he had a moment—perhaps it’s his age showing, or an inner ear problem, but with great miscalculation, he stepped into the kayak and rolled himself and the kayak right into the drink. He came up sputtering something unintelligible as I helped him empty the inverted kayak, which was half-full of water. Jim, at least I know you are now human. I am including a second page this time for those of you who are number crunchers. I have received many requests about the statistics of our crossing. I think you will find them interesting and once again, a documentation of the fine little ship the Nordhavn 40 is. Life is a Cruise, Larry and Jim Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/ Email: <mailto:donedream@pacbell.net>donedream@pacbell.net